Incident in Brooklyn Park: NYC Parks employee allegedly shot migrant who lived in a playground in Bed-Stuy

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (WABC) — A man who worked as a temporary worker for New York City's parks department has been charged with hate crime murder for allegedly shooting an immigrant living at a playground in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Elijah Mitchell, 23, was upset that 30-year-old Arturo Jose Rodriguez Marcano was sleeping at Steuben Playground, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.

Marcano, who was from Venezuela, had lived in a tent in the park with other migrants.

On July 18, there was an argument between Mitchell and Marcano, investigators said.

Three days later, police said, Mitchell shot Marcano in the chest and then fled the scene.

Marcano was taken to Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

“This defendant allegedly came armed to the location of the victim to settle a score,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “This premeditated and cold-blooded murder is outrageous on many levels, not least because the alleged motive was hatred toward newcomers to our city.”

Mitchell faces several charges.

If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of up to 25 years to life imprisonment.

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