Police are still searching for an armed and dangerous man who they believe is responsible for two fatal shootings in New York City.
According to the NYPD, Jesus Acosta, 31, is the suspect in two shootings: one at a Bronx deli on Tuesday morning and one at a Brooklyn eatery early Sunday morning.
Police said Acosta had been on parole since April after spending more than ten years in prison for assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
The FBI is now offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Acosta’s arrest and conviction, in addition to the United Bodegas of America’s $10,000 offer.
Anyone with information should contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also leave a tip through the Crime Stoppers website or via DM on X, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept secret.
Bronx shooting victim identified
Surveillance footage shows Acosta allegedly entering 149 Grill and Deli early Tuesday morning, shooting and killing a 33-year-old man inside and snatching his backpack.
Employees were observed scrambling for cover as bullets struck the walls just inches away from where they were standing. The man then looted the deli’s register before fleeing.
Police identified the 33-year-old as Tavon Shuler, whom friends affectionately referred to as “Pluccy.” A shrine is forming outside the bodega in his honor. He is a good child. “He gave his shirt off his back,” his father, Douglas Shuler, stated.
Shuler stated that his son was caught in the wrong location at the wrong time. He will be missed; that is all I can say, guy. “I’m at a loss for words right now,” he admitted.
Father of 2 identified as victim in Brooklyn shooting
According to detectives, Acosta is also wanted for the shooting at an American Best Wings and Pizza in Brownsville.
Acosta allegedly shot a 39-year-old employee making food in the leg before fatally shooting 44-year-old MD Yousef, who was at the register, in the head.
The victim, who was 39 years old, survived. The employee door was open, so the person ran inside and shot him first, before shooting MD Yousef in the head,” claimed Shekh Rasel, the restaurant’s co-owner.
Rasel reports that Yousef, who moved to the US from Bangladesh a few years ago, supported his wife, two daughters, parents, and extended family financially. “That’s a huge loss for us,” Rasel stated. “Losing a friend, the best friend like MD Yousef, who was really trustworthy and a really good employee, for sure, and also like a family member.”
Yousef’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
Family members are praying for a quick arrest of the alleged killer. Mizanur Rahman, Yousef’s uncle, urged, “Catch this guy.” “We need safety for all people.” Rasel expressed frustration and disdain.
Rasel claims he has not been able to reopen the shop since the Sunday morning incident.
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