ICE Agent Fires 7 Rounds Into Car With Child Inside in Bronx Shooting

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fired seven rounds into a car in Manhattan’s Marble Hill neighborhood Thursday afternoon, striking 28-year-old Oscar Belgal in the neck. Belgal’s 5-year-old son sat unharmed in the backseat. The shooting has triggered demands from New York officials for body camera footage and raised questions about ICE enforcement tactics in the city.

What happened during the shooting

ICE agents attempted to detain Belgal around 4 p.m. Thursday near Marble Hill Avenue and West 225th Street. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, at least one ICE officer fired seven times through the front windshield after Belgal’s vehicle began moving forward. Belgal suffered a graze wound to his neck below his left ear and was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in stable condition. His son was found safe.

Why DHS says the shooting occurred

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were in fear for their lives. Mullin stated that Belgal accelerated his car and rammed into two other vehicles. He said agents had attempted to detain Belgal in September, but he fled. Mullin added that agents were unaware a child was in the car and that Belgal knew he was wanted because he had fled once before.

Who Belgal is and why ICE targeted him

Belgal is from the Dominican Republic and has a prior conviction for grand larceny and multiple arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession, and weapons possession. ICE agents were investigating his ties to migrants involved in a shooting of an off-duty customs officer in Fort Washington Park in July 2025. DHS says Belgal is associated with the Trinitarios gang. He was arrested by police in December 2023 and released days later.

Official reaction and calls for accountability

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting “unconscionable and incredibly serious” and said the officer fired multiple rounds with a child inside. Governor Kathy Hochul said she expressed outrage to President Trump and asked for body camera footage to be released. Mamdani said he would ask Trump to end ICE enforcement actions in the city. Protesters gathered at the scene chanting “we want justice” and “ICE off our streets now.”

Final Thoughts

The shooting underscores tensions between federal immigration enforcement and New York City officials over ICE tactics. Hochul’s demand for body camera footage and Mamdani’s call to end ICE operations in the city reflect growing scrutiny of how agents conduct arrests in densely populated areas.

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