Parks Worker Charged with Hate Crimes in ‘Cold-Blooded’ Migrant Killing

Charges of hate crime and murder have been brought against a parks worker in New York City in connection with the fatal shooting of a Venezuelan migrant. Prosecutors characterized the act as “premeditated and cold-blooded.”

Elijah Mitchell, a 23-year-old temporary employee with the New York City Parks Department, was indicted on several serious charges. These include second-degree murder as a hate crime, second-degree murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing as a hate crime, and second-degree menacing, according to a statement released by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

Mitchell is accused of shooting 30-year-old Arturo Jose Rodriguez Marcano at Stueben Playground in Brooklyn. This incident occurred just three days after Mitchell allegedly threatened Marcano during a confrontation at the same park, displaying a handgun during the altercation, as stated by Gonzalez.

According to the district attorney, “This defendant allegedly came to the location where the victim was staying, armed with a gun, to settle a score.” Gonzalez continued, “This premeditated and cold-blooded homicide is outrageous on many levels, not least because the alleged motive was hatred towards new arrivals to our city.”

During a court appearance, Mitchell pleaded not guilty to all charges. A public defender has been appointed to represent him. As of now, there has been no response to inquiries sent to Mitchell’s attorney for comments, and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation also declined to comment on the situation.

The shooting took place around 10:40 PM on July 21, as the conflict progressed inside Stueben Playground. Prosecutors alleged that Mitchell sought out Marcano at the park and shot him once in the chest before fleeing the scene.

The critically injured Marcano was taken to Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, where he was pronounced dead. Following his arrest on July 29, when he was questioned about the shooting, Mitchell allegedly admitted to being at the playground during the incident. However, he claimed he did not fire the gun, stating that he was merely using the restroom when he heard a gunshot and fled.

Mitchell reportedly told detectives, “Hell no, I didn’t have a gun that night,” during questioning after allegedly waiving his Miranda rights.

In the days leading up to the shooting, prosecutors allege that Mitchell, who claimed to be homeless, engaged in a heated argument with Rodriguez Marcano at the playground. Allegedly, during that confrontation, he returned to a vehicle, lifted his shirt to exhibit a gun in his waistband, and was subsequently pulled away by other employees.

However, Mitchell has denied threatening Marcano with a firearm. He stated that he was asked to leave the park by his supervisor after a group of migrants residing there reacted aggressively to the presence of parks department employees attempting to clear their encampment.

“What caused me to leave was that they were being aggressive,” he stated to detectives regarding the migrants’ response. “They started grabbing weapons and s—. I just went back to the truck. No, I don’t have a gun on me. I don’t do that. I’m positive.”

In his defense, Mitchell claimed no animosity towards migrants, although he admitted that he and his coworkers felt frustrated with the ongoing necessity of removing people from the park. “It’s not my problem. It’s not the Parks Department’s problem. I go to work, I cut grass, and that’s it. No, I don’t have a problem with migrants,” he insisted in his statement.

If convicted, Mitchell could face a sentence ranging from 25 years to life in prison. He is currently being held on a $2.5 million bond and has a scheduled court date on October 23.

District Attorney Gonzalez emphasized the seriousness of the situation, asserting, “My office will vigorously prosecute this horrific case, and these enhanced charges send a strong message that hate crimes will never be tolerated in Brooklyn.”

Source: ABC News