Accused Bronx gunman indicted in one of two deadly shootings
Jesus Acosta was in Bronx Criminal Court on Thursday for his second appearance since his arrest. He is accused of killing Tayvvon Schuler, an unsuspecting customer, during a violent late-night deli robbery. Acosta has not faced a judge yet in the Brooklyn case.
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A grand jury has indicted a Bronx man for one of two homicides he is charged in connection with, according to the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
Jesus Acosta, 31, was in Bronx Criminal Court on Thursday for his second appearance since his arrest. Acosta is accused of fatally shooting 33-year-old Tayvvon Schuler, an unsuspecting customer, during a violent late-night robbery on Aug. 25.
According to the criminal complaint, Acosta allegedly robbed Schuler while he was wounded but still alive, on the deli floor. The alleged shooter then went behind the counter and stole cash from the register.
Prosecutors say that in the midst of the violence, Acosta fired at three other people inside the deli but missed.
Just days later in Brooklyn, Acosta allegedly carried out a second senseless, deadly shooting. Investigators say he opened fire inside American Best Wings and Pizza in Brooklyn, killing 44-year-old M.D. Yousef and wounding another employee.
The manhunt for Acosta, in connection with both homicides, came to an end on Saturday morning inside a park in Soundview. According to the Bronx DA's Office, an anonymous tip led officers to Acosta, who was armed when officers took him into custody. Officers walked him out of the 43rd Precinct in handcuffs that evening.
Acosta was arraigned the next day on the following charges: first- and second-degree murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, two counts of robbery, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.
According to police, the late-August alleged acts of violence were far from Acosta's first run-ins with the law - he was arrested at least 13 times before and served over a decade behind bars for shooting a man on an East Harlem subway platform.
Acosta was released on parole just four months before he allegedly committed the back-to-back killings.
He is expected to return to Bronx Criminal Court on Sept. 29.
Acosta has not faced a judge for the Brooklyn homicide as of Thursday evening.
