Mamdani Demands Trump End ICE Operations in New York After Shooting

ICE Shooting in New York Involves Target with Prior Convictions and Gang Ties

New York police responded to reports of shots fired near 2 Marble Hill Avenue in the Bronx around 4 p.m. on October 8, 2026, where federal immigration agents conducted a targeted enforcement operation. The target, identified by city police commissioner Jessica Tisch as 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, was in a gray vehicle with a 5-year-old boy whom officers believed to be his son.

Department of Homeland Security statements described Belgal as a criminal illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic with a prior conviction for grand larceny and multiple prior arrests for assault, robbery, possession of drugs, and weapons possession. The department stated that Belgal had ties to the Trinitarios gang, which was involved in the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer the previous year. It further noted that police arrested Belgal on December 7, 2023, but he was released into the community days later under New York’s sanctuary policies.

Tisch reported that Belgal had two prior arrests in New York City: one for robbery in 2023, to which he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny and received five years probation, and one for criminal sale of a controlled substance in 2025, which remains pending.

According to Tisch’s account of the preliminary investigation, plainclothes federal agents approached the vehicle to take Belgal into custody. One agent approached the driver’s side window with his gun drawn, while another stood near the headlight. The vehicle then moved forward. Evidence collected at the scene indicated that at least one ICE agent fired seven rounds, striking Belgal in the neck below his left ear. DHS stated that an ICE officer discharged his weapon, injuring the target, and that agents immediately rendered aid. The incident remains under investigation.

When New York police arrived, they observed men in various clothing, including at least one carrying a long gun. Officers found Belgal handcuffed and seated on the ground. They placed him in a police vehicle, provided aid, and transported him to New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in stable condition. The child was unharmed and placed in the care of a family member.

DHS posted on social media that when dangerous illegal aliens are released back onto the streets by sanctuary policies, officers must conduct arrests in community settings that can become unpredictable. The White House referred inquiries to the DHS statement.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement calling the situation unconscionable and stating he had contacted President Trump to demand an end to all ICE enforcement actions in the city. Mamdani described ICE operations as undermining public safety and said he would not stand by while agents operated in communities. He later said at a press conference that there was no explanation for federal officers firing multiple rounds into a car containing a 5-year-old.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, said she spoke with Trump and criticized what she called acts of violence by a federal agency operating with impunity. She called for immediate answers from federal authorities.

Rep. Ritchie Torres posted that firing multiple rounds into a car with a child inside on a busy residential street was indefensible. Rep. Adriano Espaillat stated that ICE had denied him and the victim’s family access to visit Belgal. Espaillat said he met the victim’s 5-year-old son, who appeared distraught after witnessing the event. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the shooting deeply disturbing, particularly given reports of a child in the car, and requested release of body camera footage along with independent investigations.

Mamdani has previously backed calls to abolish ICE. Trump and Mamdani have maintained a cordial relationship despite ideological differences on immigration. The White House has indicated no change in enforcement priorities.

Tisch confirmed that New York police received multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired and a person shot. Protesters later gathered near the scene.

Reports from the New York Times and ABC News have tallied more than 20 people shot in incidents involving federal immigration agents during the current administration, with at least six fatalities, including three U.S. citizens. Gothamist reported on October 7 that more than 8,800 ICE arrests in New York state under the second-term Trump administration occurred in New York City’s five boroughs. Lawmakers have debated funding for DHS operations amid these enforcement actions, resulting in partial shutdowns.

The city police statement described the federal operation as a targeted enforcement action. DHS characterized the location of the arrest as resulting from prior release decisions by local authorities. Both the city investigation and the federal review continue.