A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded a 28-year-old man in New York City on October 8, 2026, during an enforcement operation, sparking widespread protests and condemnation from local officials. The incident occurred in the Marble Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, where a 5-year-old child was reportedly in the vehicle with the victim, though unharmed.
The shooting, described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a targeted enforcement operation,
led to immediate backlash from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who called it unconscionable and incredibly serious.
Witnesses reported ICE agents in construction vests and masks, making it difficult to identify them as federal officers, a claim echoed by residents and local media.
Protests and Political Fallout
Local leaders and immigrant advocacy groups criticized the federal agency, with the New York Immigration Coalition stating, This incident is another reminder of the unchecked, rampant violence ICE has been spreading throughout our communities.
The group called for an immediate investigation and the release of body camera footage. Governor Kathy Hochul also demanded transparency, stating she had spoken with Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin about the shooting.
City Councilmember Pierina Sanchez, who noted the shooting occurred near West 225th Street and Marble Hill Avenue, described the neighborhood as typically peaceful.
Details of the Incident
The victim, identified as Oscar Belgal, was shot in the neck below his left ear, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Surveillance footage showed ICE agents approaching Belgal’s vehicle, which was later found to have bullet holes in its windshield. The NYPD confirmed the child was unharmed and placed with a family member, though his mother took him to a hospital for evaluation.
DHS described Belgal as a criminal illegal alien
with a prior conviction for grand larceny and multiple arrests, including a 2025 charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance. The agency also alleged he had ties to the Trinitarios gang, a transnational criminal organization.
Witnesses reported that ICE agents fired seven rounds, with one agent seen holding a small child. Another witness, Marcelo Desa, said the streets were crowded with children exiting school when the shooting occurred.
Conflicting Accounts and Ongoing Investigations
Conflicting reports emerged about the circumstances of the shooting. Some witnesses claimed ICE agents fired seven rounds, while others described fewer shots. The NYPD stated it was not involved in the operation, though it assisted with crowd control and evidence collection. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have taken over the investigation, with officials citing the need for a federal response.
Protesters clashed with law enforcement, leading to multiple arrests.
Mayor Mamdani called for ICE to be abolished, stating, We will not normalize ICE’s viciousness.
We will not accept its cruelty.
DHS defended its actions, stating that when dangerous illegal aliens are released back onto the streets by radical sanctuary politicians, our officers are forced to make arrests at large in the community in unpredictable and dangerous environments.
City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán condemned the shooting and called for ICE to be abolished, saying, We need to get ICE the hell out of our city, abolish ICE, and hold this administration accountable for the horrors they have inflicted on our immigrant communities.
The incident has drawn comparisons to previous ICE-related shootings, including one in Texas where an ICE agent shot a Venezuelan man making DoorDash deliveries last month.
The shooting occurred during a period of heightened scrutiny of ICE, following reports that agents have fired their guns during more than a dozen vehicle stops since last year, killing at least four people. The agency has faced criticism for its increased enforcement under the Trump administration, which has seen a doubling of ICE agents to over 22,000 by January 2026.