$5,000 Reward Offered as Manhunt Intensifies for Suspect in Two Deadly Shootings

A $5,000 reward is now being offered as the search continues for 31-year-old Jesus Acosta, who is wanted in connection with two violent incidents in New York.

According to the NYPD, Acosta is accused of a fatal shooting at a Brownsville restaurant and another deadly attack inside a Bronx bodega roughly 48 hours later.

The first incident reportedly involved two people being shot inside a restaurant on Rockaway Avenue.

One employee died, while another man was injured.

Two days later, investigators say surveillance footage captured a gunman opening fire inside an East 149th Street bodega.

A 33-year-old customer was killed in that attack, and officials allege the suspect then took cash from the register.

Police say Acosta was identified after his parole officer recognized him in surveillance footage.

Authorities also say he has 13 prior arrests and a lengthy criminal record.

According to officials, he was released on parole in April after serving nearly a decade in prison for a previous shooting on a Harlem subway platform.

The details have intensified debate about parole, repeat offending, and how the criminal justice system handles people with lengthy records.

United Bodegas of America is now offering the reward in an effort to help investigators locate Acosta.

UBA spokesperson Fernando Mateo has called for tougher penalties and longer prison sentences.

But regardless of the broader debate, the immediate priority remains finding the man police say is wanted in these cases.

Acosta has not been convicted of the current allegations.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact law enforcement rather than approaching him.

Two shootings have left families grieving and communities deeply shaken.

Now, investigators are asking the public to help bring the manhunt to a safe conclusion and allow the justice system to determine what happened.