Federal immigration agents shot a suspected gang member during an arrest attempt in the Bronx while his five-year-old son sat in the vehicle’s back seat, sparking a massive protest and demands from New York City’s mayor to abolish ICE entirely.
Shooting During Arrest Attempt
The incident unfolded outside 2 Marble Hill Avenue around 4:20 p.m. Thursday when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to apprehend Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican national. During the arrest, at least one ICE agent fired seven rounds, striking Belgal in the neck. The suspect survived and was transported to a hospital before federal agents placed him in an unmarked vehicle with blacked-out windows and removed him from custody.
An immigration officer fired seven rounds while arresting the
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as armed federal agents swarmed the silver SUV. Video footage captured agents pulling the handcuffed man from the vehicle while one officer carrying a semi-automatic rifle kept gathering bystanders at bay. The child, believed to be Belgal’s son, was not injured during the confrontation. Department of Homeland Security officials alleged that Belgal has ties to the Trinitarios gang, though federal authorities provided no explanation for what provoked the gunfire.
Criminal History and Previous Arrests
According to DHS statements, Belgal has a prior conviction for grand larceny and multiple arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession, and weapons charges. The NYPD confirmed two arrests in New York City: a 2023 robbery case where Belgal pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny and received five years probation, and a 2025 criminal sale of controlled substance charge still pending in court. Federal sources indicated investigators are examining possible connections between Belgal and a migrant moped gang linked to the shooting of an off-duty border patrol agent at Fort Washington Park last year.
Homeland Security officials criticized New York’s sanctuary policies, stating Belgal was arrested by NYPD on December 7, 2023, but released days later under local protocols that prevent cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Political Firestorm and Protests
Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a fiery response, calling ICE an agency that is “rotten to its core” and demanding its abolition. The mayor revealed he spent two hours attempting to negotiate Belgal’s release with President Trump and DHS Secretary Mullin, efforts that proved unsuccessful. Speaking over protesters who chanted accusations that he was “complicit,” Mamdani challenged the administration’s handling of the incident. Large crowds gathered at the scene, with demonstrators expressing outrage over the shooting and demanding answers about why federal agents opened fire with a child present.