Law enforcement agencies are searching for 31-year-old Jesus Acosta, who is wanted in connection with two fatal shootings across the Bronx and Brooklyn that occurred days apart, according to the New York City Police Department. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Acosta’s arrest and conviction, alongside a $10,000 reward from the United Bodegas of America.
Manhunt Details and Suspect Profile
According to the NYPD, Acosta is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs approximately 175 pounds, and has short brown hair and brown eyes. Police noted that he has the word “Bronx” tattooed on his hand and the name “Bobby” tattooed on his left forearm. Investigators consider him armed and dangerous.
According to police records, Acosta had been out on parole since April after serving more than 10 years behind bars for assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The FBI and NYPD ask anyone with information to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or for Spanish callers, 1-888-57-PISTA. Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website or via direct message on X at @NYPDTips, with all calls kept confidential.
Bronx Deli Shooting Investigation
The latest attack occurred at approximately 12:16 a.m. on Tuesday inside the 149 Grill & Deli located at 143 East 149th Street in the Bronx, according to the NYPD and Fox News. Surveillance video showed a gunman entering the establishment, approaching a 33-year-old customer, and opening fire.
The victim, identified by friends and family as Tavon Shuler, was struck multiple times in the chest and rushed to Lincoln Hospital, where he was initially listed in stable condition before succumbing to his injuries. Store employees ducked for cover as bullets struck walls just inches away. Following the shooting, the suspect forcibly removed cash from the register and stole Shuler’s backpack before fleeing the scene, police stated.
“He’s a good kid. He gave his shirt off his back,” said the victim’s father, Douglas Shuler, as reported by CBS News. A memorial has since grown outside the bodega in honor of Shuler, who was known to friends as “Pluccy.”
Brooklyn Restaurant Shooting
Detectives stated that Acosta is also wanted for a shooting that occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday inside American Best Wings and Pizza, located at 842 Rockaway Ave. in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood. Officers responding to a 911 call found a 44-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and a 39-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg.
According to co-owner Shekh Rasel, the gunman entered through an open employee door, shot the 39-year-old employee in the leg while he was making food, and then fatally shot 44-year-old MD Yousef in the head at the register. Both victims were transported to One Brooklyn Health-Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, where Yousef was pronounced dead.
Yousef immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh a few years prior to support his wife, two daughters, parents, and extended family, according to Rasel. Yousef’s funeral was scheduled for Thursday, while local business owners and relatives continue to call for swift justice and improved community safety.
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