A federal immigration officer shot a Dominican man in the neck while he was driving with a 5-year-old boy in New York. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the operation targeted the man for arrest. Many criticized this as part of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The injured man, identified by police as 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, survived and received medical treatment at a hospital. DHS has not detailed what led to the shooting, only stating that an ICE officer fired a weapon during the incident. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained that the shooting occurred as Belgal parked his car and federal officers approached, at least one discharging seven rounds.
The boy was unharmed and is with a family member. Tisch noted that city police were not part of the operation but responded after hearing gunshots. DHS described the man as a “criminal illegal alien” with a grand larceny conviction and other arrests.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the shooting as unwarranted, stating that the officers were indistinguishable due to their masks and construction vests. The mayor attempted to contact President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, demanding the release of Belgal and a halt to such operations. Belgal was later removed from the hospital by federal authorities.
Event Aftermath and Reactions
The shooting happened in Marble Hill, Manhattan, an area close to the Bronx. An NYPD security camera partly captured events leading to the gunfire, but not the shooting itself. Witness Pedro Almaraz described hearing shots and seeing officers with DHS branding surrounding a man on the ground.
Social media showed footage of Belgal soon after the shooting, sitting with his hands behind his back. New York City police were seen assisting him into a vehicle. The car appeared damaged, with bullet holes in its windows.
Protesters gathered near NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, demanding accountability. Demonstrators shouted for ICE to leave the area. The protest led to clashes at barricades, prompting police to make arrests.
Political and Public Responses
Local politicians expressed outrage at the incident. City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa voiced empathy and anger, echoing sentiments among fellow officials. There were chants and a march to the hospital, where demonstrators blocked entrances.
At the protest site, Mayor Mamdani criticized federal actions. Governor Kathy Hochul reached out to Trump and Mullin to express her concerns.
DHS criticized “sanctuary policies” for their hand in such incidents, claiming they complicate arrests by releasing “dangerous illegal aliens.” The agency referred to areas with limited federal cooperation.
Belgal, with previous felony convictions, was facing unresolved drug charges. Records show a plea of not guilty in his latest case. ICE agents have been involved in multiple shootings during vehicle stops, leading to fatalities and injuries. New ICE rules now restrict high-speed pursuits and mandate specific training for traffic stops.
Local resident Alfred Silva called for federal officers to be clearly identifiable, noting confusion caused by the use of safety vests. He advocated for greater transparency, emphasizing that it should not be a political issue.
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