Brooklyn Parks Worker Charged with Hate Crime in Venezuelan Migrant's Fatal Shooting

Aug 22, 2024, 12:43 PM

A former New York City Parks Department employee has been charged with murder as a hate crime for the fatal shooting of a Venezuelan migrant in a Brooklyn park. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office upgraded the charges, alleging the killing was motivated by anti-immigrant sentiment. The incident occurred in July in Clinton Hill park when the victim, a 30-year-old homeless man, was shot after reportedly arguing with the defendant days earlier. The defendant allegedly expressed anger over migrants staying in local parks, including Bed-Stuy playground, which prosecutors say fueled the crime. The indictment includes multiple hate crime charges.