A man accused of entering the United States illegally in 1998 was arraigned at his bedside in Bellevue Hospital Thursday on charges of shooting two police officers and firing shots at a third before being shot himself.
Raul Nunez, 32, a native of the Dominican Republic, is charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault, and criminal possession of a weapon, among other charges, attorneys said.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said the defendant allegedly admitted that he went “wild” because he feared being again deported.
Officers Jason Maass and Shane Farina were shot and wounded Monday at the Queensbridge subway station at 21st Street and 41st Avenue in Long Island City.
According to the charge sheet, Nunez entered a turnstile using a student Metro card that he was not authorized to use. Police asked to see his identification before putting him in custody.
That’s when the defendant is accused of grabbing the gun of one officer and opening fire. A third officer fired an Nunez and wounded him.
The officers are expected to recover, official said.
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If convicted, Nunez faces 25 years to life in prison.
