Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials stated on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, that federal officers shot a 28-year-old man in New York City because they believed their lives were in danger. The man, identified by police as Oscar Belgal, was shot in the neck as ICE officers were attempting to arrest him on Thursday in the Marble Hill neighborhood of the Bronx.
The shooting occurred as ICE officers used vehicles to block Belgal's vehicle to prevent him from driving away. According to Marcos Charles, a senior ICE official, Belgal accelerated toward the officers' vehicles, prompting them to fire. Charles stated that the officers believed their lives, the lives of their partners, and the lives of the public were at risk. Belgal, a Dominican national, had a 5-year-old boy in the car at the time; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that officers were unaware of the child's presence.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul have called for the release of body camera footage and for immigration enforcement operations in the city to stop. Mamdani stated that the officers involved wore construction vests and masks, which he said made it difficult to identify them as federal agents. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that at least one officer fired seven rounds after Belgal began to pull his car forward as plainclothes officers approached with guns drawn.
This event involves residents of New York City and jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. In this instance, a 5-year-old child was present in the vehicle during the discharge of seven rounds. The shooting has highlighted the disagreement between the federal government and New York City officials regarding the enforcement of immigration detainers.
Secretary Mullin reported that ICE currently has requests for New York City to hold more than 14,000 individuals for federal custody, a figure he said has met with "absolute silence" from local officials. For residents, the conflict over sanctuary policies affects how local police interact with federal agencies. The man involved, who Charles alleged is affiliated with a gang involved in armed moped thefts, is currently being held at a facility outside of New York City, the location of which has not been disclosed.
While ICE confirmed that body cameras were activated during the shooting, the agency has not provided a specific date for the release of the footage. Further developments will depend on the results of the shooting investigation and any potential legal challenges. As of Oct. 9, federal officials have declined requests from the mayor and governor to release the man from custody.