A Parks Department worker was arrested for the fatal shooting of a Venezuelan migrant in a Brooklyn park. Elijah Mitchell, 23, allegedly shot and killed Arturo Jose Rodriguez-Marcano, 30, who had set up a tent at Steuben Playground on July 21. Rodriguez-Marcano later died at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital from his injuries.
Mitchell, a seasonal Parks employee, was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He was held on $350,000 bail or $500,000 bond at his arraignment. The Parks Department confirmed that Mitchell was first employed in 2023 and rehired in 2024, but has since been suspended and is facing termination.
In a separate incident near the park, two men were fatally shot outside a migrant shelter on Ryerson Street. Enny DeJesus Urbina Mendez, 21, and Francisco Fuentes Rangel, 59, were both victims of the shooting. The suspects arrived on a moped, with one opening fire before fleeing the scene.
A crash involving the suspects’ moped and a car occurred at Park Avenue and Taaffe Place. The moped driver, Jorge Said Benitez Villa, 26, was injured and arrested, while the suspected shooter escaped and was still at large. The shooting was believed to be part of a turf war between the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and former members.
Benitez Villa was charged with two counts of second-degree murder but remained hospitalized and had not been arraigned. Investigators later determined that the two shootings were not connected.
The incidents have raised concerns about safety and security in the area, particularly for migrants and residents of the shelters. The Parks Department is facing scrutiny over its hiring practices and the need for better oversight of seasonal employees. Efforts are being made to address the underlying issues that may have contributed to the violence, including gang activity and drug-related conflicts.
Community leaders and advocates are calling for increased support for migrants and improved cooperation between law enforcement and local organizations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in urban environments and the importance of addressing root causes of violence.
