2 Alleged Members Of Intl. Crime Organization Face Attempted Murder Charge For Hempstead Shooting: DA

MINEOLA, NY — Two alleged members of the international criminal organization Tren de Aragua were indicted for an attempted murder and robbery of a woman walking home from work on Front Street in Hempstead in May 2024, Nassau County D.A. Anne Donnelly said.

Frederick Morillo Chavez, 21, of New York; and Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, 20, of Queens, were arraigned on numerous grand jury indictment charges, including second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree robbery, first-degree attempted assault, three counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said.

Chavez was arraigned on June 4. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded. He is due back in court on July 15.

Castro Mata pleaded not guilty and was remanded. He is due back in court on July 7.

On May 22, 2024, at approximately 12:35 a.m., the female victim was coming home from work and got off a bus near a parking lot on Front Street in Hempstead, prosecutors said.

The woman was walking through the parking lot when Morillo Chavez and Castro Mata allegedly came up behind her on a moped. The victim crossed through the parking lot and made her way down the sidewalk when they allegedly circled back around on their moped and followed her, Donnelly said.

Chavez and Castro Mata stopped the moped near the victim. Castro Mata jumped off and allegedly pointed a gun at the victim and attempted to take her bags that contained multiple items, including AirPods, a debit card, portable chargers, and an iPhone charger, prosecutors said.

Mata and the victim allegedly struggled over a bag when the victim screamed and eventually let go. Castro Mata allegedly took the bag and brought it back to the moped, where Morillo Chavez was waiting. He then returned to the victim and grabbed the victim’s lunch bag, the D.A.'s office said.

When the victim would not let go, Castro Mata allegedly shot the victim in her right arm. The victim dropped her lunch bag, and Chavez sped off with Castro Mata and the victim’s two bags, Donnelly said.

Chavez is represented by Scott Gross. Castro Mata is represented by Greg Zak.

“We have seen an increase in gang activity associated with Tren de Aragua in New York City over the past year, and now, my office is prosecuting the first case associated with this international criminal outfit in Nassau County,” said Donnelly. “These defendants allegedly stalked a woman on her way home from work on a moped, cornered her with a gun, and robbed her. When she fought back, they callously shot her, thankfully only striking her in the arm."

They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.