Bronx residents were shaken Thursday afternoon when an ICE agent fired into a vehicle carrying 28‑year‑old Oscar Belgal and his 5‑year‑old son. The shot grazed Belgal’s neck but was not life‑threatening, and the child emerged unharmed. New York City officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, expressed outrage and called for an end to ICE operations in the city.
Details of the encounter
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the incident occurred just after 4 p.m. in the Marble Hill neighborhood. ICE agents in construction‑style vests and masks surrounded Belgal’s car. Video from the scene shows a plain‑clothes officer approaching the driver’s side window with a gun drawn, followed by another officer. The vehicle began to move forward, and at least one agent discharged seven rounds, striking the driver below his left ear.
Police transported Belgal to a hospital for treatment of a neck graze. Two ICE agents were also injured; one may have been hurt in a vehicle accident during the pursuit. Both agents are receiving care at a local hospital.
Administration’s stance
President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin have repeatedly emphasized the need for robust immigration enforcement. Sources familiar with agency directives say ICE leadership recently urged agents to increase arrests by 1,000 people per day, a move that aligns with the administration’s promise to secure the border and remove criminal elements from communities.
While Mayor Mamdani urged ICE to leave the scene and cease operations, the Trump administration maintains that such actions are essential for public safety. “These actions are making the city less safe, they are making the city terrified,” Mamdani said, reflecting local frustration. The administration, however, argues that targeting individuals with documented criminal histories—such as Belgal, who has prior convictions for grand larceny, assault, robbery, drug possession, and weapons possession—protects neighborhoods from repeat offenders.
Local and state reactions
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also reached out to President Trump and Secretary Mullin, urging an end to ICE activity in the state and requesting release of any body‑camera footage. State Rep. Adriano Espaillat called for the removal of ICE, while Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman‑Sigal emphasized that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, deserve safety and respect.
Local leaders and community members gathered at the scene, demanding transparency and an independent investigation. The NYPD has not been directly involved in the shooting, but city officials have mobilized resources for crowd control and evidence collection.
Background on the suspect
DHS confirmed that Belgal has ties to the Trinitarios gang and a criminal record that includes a 2023 conviction for fourth‑degree grand larceny (resulting in five years probation) and a pending charge for the criminal sale of a controlled substance in 2025. These factors, officials say, justified ICE’s interest in the individual.
Federal authorities have taken over the investigation, mirroring the response to a similar ICE shooting in Austin, Texas, earlier this year.
What’s next?
The incident underscores the tension between federal immigration enforcement and local authorities who argue that ICE’s presence threatens community safety. As the Trump administration continues to prioritize immigration enforcement, city leaders are likely to pursue legal avenues to limit ICE operations within New York City.
Residents awaiting further details are encouraged to follow official city communications for updates on the investigation and any forthcoming policy discussions.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
