Man pleads not guilty in deadly Bronx deli shooting
Jesus Acosta, 31, is accused of fatally shooting 33-year-old Tayvon Shuler during the Aug. 25 robbery at a deli on East 149th Street.
Jesus Acosta pleaded not guilty Tuesday in connection with a deadly shooting of a customer in the Bronx that sparked a dayslong manhunt across New York City in August.
The 31-year-old appeared in Bronx Criminal Court, where he appeared shaky at times and was seen repeatedly shaking his head as prosecutors laid out the case against him.
Acosta is charged with murder in connection with the deadly shooting and robbery at 149 Grill & Deli in the Bronx.
Prosecutors say Acosta opened fire inside the bodega, killing a 33-year-old employee. He is accused of taking money from the cash register and property from the victim before leaving the store.
Acosta is also accused in a separate deadly shooting at a Brooklyn restaurant days earlier. One man was killed and another was wounded in that shooting.
The two shootings sparked a dayslong search for Acosta across the city.
Police ultimately found Acosta in a Bronx park after receiving an anonymous tip. Authorities say he had a loaded gun when he was taken into custody, and prosecutors say the firearm is connected to both shootings.
Acosta was remanded and remains in custody.
He is due in federal court on Oct. 8 and is scheduled to return to court in both the Bronx and Brooklyn in December.
