FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 21, 2026
Man Indicted for Brownsville Restaurant Shooting During Botched Robbery
Defendant Allegedly Shot Two Restaurant Workers, Killing One Man
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with first-degree murder and related charges for allegedly shooting two men inside a Brownsville restaurant during a robbery attempt, killing one of them.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Two hardworking New Yorkers were brutally attacked during an attempted robbery, and a husband and father of two tragically lost his life. This kind of violence tears families apart and endangers entire communities. We have driven gun violence to a record low in Brooklyn through focused enforcement and strong accountability for those who commit these horrific crimes, and our prosecutors will pursue this case vigorously.”
The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jesus Acosta, 31, of the Bronx. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo on an 11-count indictment in which he is charged with first- and second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree attempted robbery, and related charges. The defendant is being held without bail and was ordered to return to court on December 4, 2026.
The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 22, 2026, at approximately 11:50 p.m., the defendant allegedly entered American Best Wings & Pizza located at 842 Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn, carrying a black plastic bag.
The defendant then allegedly reached into the bag and walked behind the counter where the two employees, MD Yousuf, 44, and a 39-year-old man, were working. The defendant allegedly shot Yousuf in the torso and shot the other man in the leg.
The defendant allegedly banged on the cash register with the gun in his hand and then fled the scene.
Yousuf, a married father of two, was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The defendant was arrested on August 29, 2026, in a Bronx park.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Aleena Peerzada, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.
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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.