A plainclothes ICE officer shot and wounded a man in the Bronx on Thursday at approximately 4 p.m. local time while he was in a vehicle with a five-year-old child present, according to multiple law enforcement and city officials. The incident occurred in the Marble Hill neighborhood and has triggered sharp reactions from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, who demanded the federal agency halt operations in the state.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed Friday morning that ICE would not pause enforcement activities in New York, stating, “We're not putting a pause on enforcement. In fact, I'm not sorry. Our job is to enforce the nation's laws and go after the worst of the worst.”
The man, later identified as Oscar Belgal, 28, was struck in the neck and transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) reported that the child was unharmed. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that at least one ICE officer discharged a weapon seven times, striking Belgal through the front windshield of his vehicle.
Federal officials defend enforcement action
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described the operation as a “targeted enforcement action” aimed at arresting a “criminal illegal alien” with a prior criminal record. DHS officials stated that Belgal, a Dominican national, had a conviction for grand larceny and multiple prior arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession, and weapons charges. They also alleged he was associated with the Trinitarios gang, a group the U.S. Justice Department has designated as a transnational criminal organization. DHS claimed Belgal was arrested by NYPD in December 2023 but released days later under “sanctuary city policies.”
In a statement, DHS asserted that “dangerous illegal aliens released back onto the streets by radical sanctuary politicians” force agents to conduct arrests in unpredictable environments, increasing risks for officers and the public. The agency added that ICE officers rendered aid to Belgal after the shooting.
City leaders demand accountability and removal of ICE
Mayor Mamdani condemned the shooting as “unconscionable and incredibly serious” and said he spoke with President Donald Trump and Secretary Mullin for two hours Thursday evening to demand Belgal’s release and an end to ICE operations in New York. Mamdani stated the negotiations were unsuccessful, and that ICE agents later transported Belgal from the hospital in an unmarked vehicle.
At a press conference Thursday night, Mamdani accused ICE of acting “with impunity” and spreading “chaos and terror” across the country. He called for the agency to be removed from New York City, stating, “Get ICE out of our neighborhoods. Get ICE out of our hospitals. Get ICE off our streets. Get ICE away from our children.” Mamdani also announced plans to formally request that Trump halt all ICE enforcement actions in the city.
Governor Hochul expressed outrage over the incident and said she had spoken with Trump and Mullin, urging them to release body camera footage of the shooting to establish the facts. Hochul stated, “I expressed outrage on behalf of New Yorkers and urged them to halt ICE enforcement operations in New York.”
Protests erupt as federal and local tensions escalate
The shooting sparked immediate protests in the Bronx, with demonstrators gathering near the hospital where Belgal was treated. Eyewitnesses and local business owners described scenes of confrontation between law enforcement and protesters, with some reports indicating that demonstrators attempted to disrupt the investigation.
Federal authorities have not yet released details about the circumstances leading to the shooting, including whether Belgal was armed or resisted arrest. The NYPD confirmed it was not involved in the incident and stated that federal authorities were investigating. The FBI was also observed at the scene, according to local reports.
Background: Rising scrutiny of ICE under current administration
Since President Trump’s return to office, federal immigration enforcement has intensified, with DHS reporting that ICE officers have shot at least 21 people, resulting in 7 fatalities. Critics argue that the administration’s tougher deportation policies have led to an increase in violent confrontations, while supporters contend that such measures are necessary to address crime and national security threats. The incident in the Bronx has amplified calls from local leaders for greater oversight and restrictions on federal immigration enforcement within city limits.