Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel today announced the indictment of MIGUEL MORA, 21, and CHRISTHIAN AYBAR, 22, in connection to the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) Officer in Fort Washington Park in July 2025. The shooting was part of a robbery spree allegedly planned and committed by the defendants. MORA is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Attempted Murder in the First and Second Degrees. Both defendants are charged with various counts of Assault in the First Degree, Attempted Robbery and Robbery in the First and Second Degrees, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. [1]

“Even while off duty on a summer night, this officer quickly leapt into action in an act of bravery,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We are committed to the safety of law enforcement officers in Manhattan, as demonstrated by this in-depth investigation and today’s serious charges. I thank DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations for its collaboration.”

“Miguel Mora and Cristhian Aybar juggled with fate, and lost, when they set out on their alleged robbery spree last month. Throughout much of their time in the U.S., and as culminated with the events of July 19, they disrespected the sanctity of life and the American rule of law. In the process, they changed the course of their own lives, and tragically, that of an innocent, unsuspecting off-duty CBP officer. Standing side-by-side with our partners from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Southern District of New York, the NYPD and CBP, HSI New York will relentlessly pursue justice on behalf of New Yorkers and the law enforcement community as a whole,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.

“Today’s indictment again highlights the amazing work being done by the best police force anywhere — the NYPD — along with District Attorney Bragg’s office, and our partners at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Thanks to the bravery of the federal officer who was wounded in a shootout in Fort Washington Park, and the quick work done by our partners in law enforcement, two dangerous criminals are off the streets today and will face justice in a court of law. We’re proud of the work our administration has done to bring down shootings and overall crime, and I want to assure New Yorkers that violence in our city will never be tolerated. We will continue working to ensure New York remains the safest big city in America.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on July 19, 2025, the defendants discussed plans to commit robberies over WhatsApp. At approximately 11:45 p.m., MORA and AYBAR rode a moped into Fort Washington Park, where they saw a 39-year-old woman sitting alone on a park bench. MORA allegedly grabbed the woman’s phone, got into a struggle with her, and pushed her forcefully.

The defendants then drove north towards the George Washington Bridge and stopped at the red lighthouse at the foot of the bridge. They saw the off-duty CBP Officer, who was sitting with another victim on a jetty next to the lighthouse, facing the river.

AYBAR turned the moped around, allowing him to flee quickly, while MORA allegedly dismounted, took out a gun and crept along the rocks until her reached the Officer. MORA pointed the gun at the Officer’s head, who then pulled out his own firearm. MORA fired and the Officer returned fire.

The Officer was struck twice, once in the face and once on the hand and wrist.

MORA was struck in the thigh and groin and hobbled back onto the moped. AYBAR dropped him off at a Bronx hospital, where MORA was subsequently arrested. AYBAR was arrested the following day. Both were arrested by federal authorities.

Assistant D.A. Joseph Abrams is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Christopher Prevost (Deputy Chief of the Trial Division), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).

District Attorney Bragg thanked Homeland Security Investigations, New York’s Violent Gang Task Force and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Defendant Information:

MIGUEL MORA
Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
• Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count

 

CHRISTHIAN AYBAR
Bronx, NY

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count

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