Dominican man pleads not guilty to killing two men in separate New York shootings

A 31-year-old Dominican man accused of killing two men in separate shootings during an alleged robbery spree in New York pleaded not guilty during a court appearance Tuesday, according to U.S. media reports.

Jesús Acosta faces five charges related to the shooting deaths of MD Yousuf, 44, and Tayvon Shuler, 33, as well as the shooting and wounding of a third man at a restaurant on Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and a grocery store on East 149th Street near Walton Avenue in the Bronx.

The two fatal shootings occurred just hours apart and triggered a five-day citywide manhunt in late August. Acosta remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in federal court on October 8, with separate hearings in Bronx and Brooklyn courts scheduled for December.

According to reporters who attended Tuesday’s hearing, Acosta appeared nervous at times and repeatedly shook his head as prosecutors presented the case against him.

The first shooting allegedly occurred shortly after midnight on August 23 in Brownsville. According to New York authorities, Acosta allegedly entered American Best Wings and Pizza on Rockaway Avenue during an attempted robbery and opened fire.

Police allege that Yousuf, who worked at the restaurant, was shot in the head during the incident. The information provided does not include further details about the second shooting.