THE BRONX (WABC) — A man accused in two deadly New York City shootings that sparked a multiday manhunt is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on an indictment in the fatal shooting of a Bronx bodega customer last month.
Jesus Acosta, 31, is expected to appear in court on charges tied to the killing of 33-year-old Tayvon Shuler, who was shot during a robbery at a deli in the Melrose section of the Bronx on Aug. 25. A grand jury recently voted to indict Acosta on all charges in the case.
A gunman shot a customer, threatened employees and stole money from a Bronx store during a brazen early morning robbery.
Prosecutors have also charged Acosta in a separate Brooklyn killing. He was arraigned earlier this month on an indictment alleging he fatally shot 44-year-old MD Yousuf, a husband and father of two, and wounded another worker during an attempted robbery inside American Best Wings & Pizza in Brownsville on Aug. 22. He is being held without bail in that case and is due back in court Dec. 4.
Two days later, police say Acosta walked into 149 Grill & Deli on East 149th Street in the Bronx, shot Shuler, then went behind the counter and stole money from the register before fleeing. Shuler later died from his injuries.
The shootings touched off an intense search by the NYPD and FBI. Acosta was arrested Aug. 29 in a Bronx park near Watson Avenue and Morrison Avenue after an anonymous 911 caller reported his location, according to police. When reporters asked if he committed the crimes, Acosta replied only, “God is good, God is great.”
Police said Acosta faces multiple charges connected to the two shootings, including murder, attempted murder, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.
Investigators have said Acosta has 13 prior arrests dating back to his teenage years. He was released on parole in April after serving about 10 years in state prison for a 2015 subway shooting in Manhattan.
Before his arrest, the FBI offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to Acosta’s apprehension, while the United Bodegas of America offered an additional $10,000 reward.
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