In a harrowing incident early Monday, two New York City police officers were shot while pursuing a suspect linked to a string of robberies involving scooters. The shooting occurred around 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of 89th Street and 23rd Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens.

The officers, part of the 115th Precinct’s public safety unit, attempted to stop a male suspect driving a scooter against traffic. The suspect fled on foot, leading to a chase during which he opened fire on the officers. The officers returned fire. One officer was struck in the stomach area of his bullet-proof vest, while the other officer was shot in the leg. Both were swiftly transported to hospitals and are in stable condition, expected to make full recoveries.

At a press conference from Elmhurst Hospital, New York City Mayor Eric Adams displayed a bullet hole in the vest of the officer shot in the stomach. “Every day New Yorkers are not wearing this,” Adams said, highlighting the dangers faced by police officers. He condemned the shooting as a “senseless act of violence” and a “total disregard for life.”

The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Bernardo Raul Castro Mata from Venezuela, was also shot in the ankle and taken to a hospital. Authorities revealed that Castro Mata had entered the U.S. illegally through Eagle Pass, Texas, in July 2023. Initially released with a future court date, he instead traveled to New York City, where he was living in a former Courtyard Marriott hotel repurposed as a migrant shelter.

Though Castro Mata had no prior arrests in New York City, police linked him to multiple robbery patterns across the city, with recent incidents concentrated in Queens. The robberies involved stealing purses, wallets, and other belongings, followed by quick getaways on a moped.

Both officers were released from the hospital later in the morning, receiving heartfelt cheers from their colleagues. The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by law enforcement officers and the critical importance of their protective gear in life-threatening situations.

It just so happens that the incident took place in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s district, and a Republican lawmaker used AOC’s own words to humiliate her.

“Hey Baby Girl,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis wrote on X Tuesday night, tagging Ocasio-Cortez. “Two cops were shot in your district by an illegal immigrant who we NOW find out is a Venezuelan gang member being housed in a hotel at our constituents’ expense and you still have NOTHING to say about it?? Really?”

Hey Baby Girl @AOC, two cops were shot in your district by an illegal immigrant who we NOW find out is a Venezuelan gang member being housed in a hotel at our constituents’ expense and you still have NOTHING to say about it?? Really? pic.twitter.com/bwEQvYNC7P

— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) June 5, 2024

Malliotakis used the same words AOC tried to use when mocking Rep. MTG during a fiery House Committee hearing.

Funny AOC doesn’t seem to have a lot to say now does she?