Bronx, New York – Two Venezuelan nationals became victims of a fatal shooting in the Bronx that left one dead and the other fighting for his life, according to the police on Tuesday. Adrian Mendoza, aged 24, and Jhombeyker Bisbal, aged 31, were inside a 2015 Nissan Rogue parked near a McDonald’s on E. 149th St. when the tragic event unfolded. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny shared details during a news briefing, mentioning that a gray Honda Civic approached their car around 4 a.m. on Monday.
The passenger of the Civic exited the vehicle and walked past the victims but then returned to the scene. The shooter proceeded to fire at Mendoza and Bisbal, critically wounding them before fleeing on foot, leaving behind the injured men. Medical responders rushed both victims to Lincoln Hospital, where Mendoza succumbed to his injuries. Bisbal, on the other hand, remained in critical condition as of Tuesday.
Authorities revealed that neither victim had a prior criminal record in New York but had encounters with Customs and Border Control. Mendoza was arrested in Texas in August, while Bisbal faced an arrest by the same agency in May. The police are actively searching for the Honda Civic used by the gunman, which bore Virginia license plates. As of now, there have been no arrests made in connection with the shooting.
The community in the Bronx is reeling from the tragic loss and the violent nature of the incident. The Venezuelan consulate is providing support to the families of the victims as they navigate this difficult time. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice to Mendoza and Bisbal. The Bronx remains on edge as residents grapple with the senseless act of violence that claimed one life and endangered another.