A shooting in New York City’s Marble Hill neighborhood on Thursday evening involved federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who fired seven rounds at a suspect inside a car that also contained a five‑year‑old child. The child was unharmed, and police commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the suspect as 28‑year‑old Oscar Belgal, who was shot in the neck.
At a Friday morning press conference, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended ICE’s actions, stating that officers were unaware of the child’s presence and that any outrage should target Belgal. Mullin criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had called ICE “rotten to its core,” and accused reporters of spreading “fake news.” He also expressed frustration with questions about the use of aircraft purchased by his predecessor.
ICE officials said Belgal had “fearing” for his safety, refused to exit his vehicle, and then accelerated, colliding with two ICE vehicles before attacking officers. Belgal, a “criminal illegal alien” from the Dominican Republic, has a 2023 grand larceny conviction and pending drug charges, and is alleged to have ties to the Trinitarios gang.
Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the operation, calling for ICE to be abolished in the city and urging a halt to federal enforcement actions. Hochul noted that the child escaped without physical injury and urged New Yorkers to demand a review of ICE operations in the five boroughs.
