ICE Agent Shooting in Marble Hill Sparks Outrage and Protests

On a Thursday afternoon in Marble Hill, New York City, an ICE agent shot Oscar Belgal, 28, in the neck while a 5-year-old child was in his car. The Department of Homeland Security defended the actions taken by its agents.

NYPD Releases Body-Camera Footage

The day after the incident, the New York Police Department released body-camera footage from the first officers to arrive at the scene. These officers responded post-shooting, without involvement in the original event. The video depicts two officers arriving and observing pedestrians discussing the ICE involvement. Belgal appears seated on the ground with a nearby man in a reflective vest wielding a long gun. The officers called for an ambulance. Later, they decided to transport Belgal directly to a hospital in a police vehicle.

“There was nothing that was happening that would make people have to disguise themselves as construction workers, surround a man’s car with his 5-year-old son in it, coming from school at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and shoot him in the neck in the car,” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

DHS Defends the Shooting

During a Friday news conference, DHS spokesperson Marcos Charles stated that Belgal failed to comply with lawful orders from ICE officers. The officers allegedly tried to detain him unsuccessfully in September. On Thursday, when Belgal refused to exit his vehicle, he reportedly accelerated, colliding with two ICE vehicles and driving towards other officers.

Reactions from City Officials

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attempted negotiations with President Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin for Belgal’s release. Mullin mentioned Trump’s willingness to release Belgal to NYPD custody, but the mayor declined this offer.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat spoke with Belgal’s family, noting their shaken state but mentioned that the child involved remained in good spirits.

More about Oscar Belgal

DHS states that Belgal was in the United States illegally, associating him with the Trinitarios gang. He had a prior conviction for grand larceny and previous arrests for assault, robbery, and weapons possession. Court documents reveal an August 2025 arrest for selling cocaine and fentanyl in Manhattan, after which he was released under supervision.

Protests and Responses

The shooting triggered protests and criticism, including from Mayor Mamdani who called for the abolition of ICE. Following Thursday night’s protests, five people were detained. DHS has since relocated Belgal to a detention center outside New York state.