NYC Parks employee accused of fatally shooting migrant living in Bed-Stuy playground

ByEyewitness News

Thursday, August 22, 2024

NYC Parks employee accused of fatally shooting migrant in Brooklyn

Elijah Mitchell, 23, was allegedly upset that 30-year-old Arturo Jose Rodriguez Marcano was sleeping in Steuben Playground.

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A man who was working as a temporary New York City Parks employee has been charged with murder as a hate crime for allegedly shooting a migrant who was living in a Bedford-Stuyvesant playground.

Elijah Mitchell, 23, was upset that 30-year-old Arturo Jose Rodriguez Marcano was sleeping in Steuben Playground, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.

Marcano -- who was from Venezuela -- had been living in a tent inside the park along with other migrants.

Mitchell and Marcano had gotten into a fight back on July 18, investigators said.

Three days later, police say, Mitchell shot Marcano in the chest and then fled the scene.

Marcano was transported to Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly upon arrival.

"This defendant allegedly came to the location where the victim was staying, armed with a gun, to settle a score," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. "This premeditated and coldblooded homicide is outrageous on many levels, not least because the alleged motive was hatred towards new arrivals to our city."

Mitchell is facing multiple charges.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.