U.S. federal immigration authorities wounded a Dominican man during his arrest in New York City on Thursday in what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as a “targeted enforcement operation.” The man survived and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital, according to DHS. Details of the shooting were not disclosed, with DHS only stating that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fired his weapon, resulting in the man’s injury.
The incident sparked anger among local residents and the city’s mayor. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed outrage during a late-night news briefing, denouncing the actions of ICE agents who, according to him, were not easily identifiable as law enforcement officers. Mamdani mentioned that a five-year-old child was also present in the car during the incident but remained unharmed.
Mamdani condemned ICE’s actions, labeling the agency as deeply flawed. He disclosed that he engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin for two hours in an attempt to secure the release of the injured man, but the negotiations proved unsuccessful.
The wounded man, identified as 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, was described by Homeland Security as a “criminal illegal alien” with a previous grand larceny conviction and a history of arrests. The shooting occurred in the Marble Hill neighborhood, which is a small part of Manhattan connected to the Bronx.
Eyewitnesses, including Pedro Almaraz, an employee at a nearby restaurant, reported hearing gunshots and observing the man on the ground surrounded by officers wearing face masks and DHS-branded vests. Alfred Silva, a local resident, emphasized the need for federal officers to enhance their identification measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Protesters gathered at the scene, chanting “ICE off our streets now!” and later proceeded to the hospital where the injured man was undergoing treatment. The protest escalated as some demonstrators clashed with police, leading to a tense situation at the hospital entrance.
The incident has raised concerns about ICE’s tactics during arrests and its interactions with local communities. Local officials and residents are demanding transparency and accountability from federal authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Videos and images shared on social media captured the aftermath of the incident, showing law enforcement officers and the damaged vehicle involved in the shooting.
