Man arrested in 2 NYC homicides after weeklong manhunt
Acosta, of the Bronx, is now charged in the deaths of 44-year-old M.D. Yousef and 33-year-old Tayvon Shuler. Both men were unsuspecting victims, killed just days apart.
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A man was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing two Brooklyn men during separate incidents in Brooklyn and the Bronx, according to the NYPD.
Jesus Acosta, 31, was taken into custody on Saturday morning, following a weeklong manhunt. Officers walked him out of the 43rd Precinct in handcuffs later that same day.
Acosta, of the Bronx, was charged in the deaths of 44-year-old M.D. Yousef and 33-year-old Tayvon Shuler. Both men were unsuspecting victims, killed just days apart.
Police say the first shooting happened inside American Best Wings and Pizza on Rockaway Parkway on Aug. 22. Acosta allegedly opened fire just after midnight, killing Yousef and wounding a second man - both employees.
Just three days later, Acosta allegedly barged into a Bronx deli and shot and killed Shuler before he robbed the business.
Police records reveal that Acosta has been arrested 13 times in the past for various crimes. He spent 11 years behind bars for an attempted murder charge and was released on parole around four months ago.
The NYPD first identified Acosta as the alleged gunman on Tuesday. He now faces a slew of charges, including two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, manslaughter, four counts of robbery and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
The United Bodegas of America spoke out about the tragic incidents, demanding justice and advocating for additional safety measures for deli employees.
UBA offered on Wednesday a $10,000 reward for information leading to Acosta's arrest. The following day, the FBI offered a $25,000 reward.
Following Acosta's arrest, UBA released a statement thanking law enforcement for their efforts in tracking down the alleged killer and renewing their calls for additional safety measures to protect bodega workers.
"This arrest is only the beginning of our fight. Governor Hochul must support three to five years in prison for carrying an illegal gun, Mayor Mamdani must bring back bodega panic buttons, and Commissioner Tisch must expedite gun permits for trained, law abiding bodega owners," said UBA Spokesman Fernando Mateo.
