ICE Agent Shoots Oscar Belgal in New York City While 5-Year-Old Child Sits in Car
ICE Shooting in New York City Leaves Man Wounded
A 28-year-old man was shot and wounded by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a targeted enforcement operation in New York City on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The incident occurred in the Marble Hill neighborhood, near West 225th Street and Marble Hill Avenue, while a five-year-old boy was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle.
Authorities identified the wounded man as Oscar Belgal, a Dominican national. According to reports from city officials, the shooting occurred at approximately 4 p.m. local time.
The child was not physically injured and was later reunited with a family member. Belgal was taken to a hospital for treatment, with officials describing his injuries as non-life-threatening.
The incident quickly drew attention from residents, elected officials, and immigration advocates, raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the presence of a young child during the operation.
What Happened During the ICE Operation?
According to reports from law enforcement officials, ICE agents were attempting to arrest Belgal as part of a targeted enforcement operation in the Marble Hill area.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said an ICE agent fired seven rounds at the vehicle, striking Belgal in the neck. Reports indicated that agents were attempting to stop the car when the shooting occurred.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, said the officers were carrying out an enforcement action against a Dominican national with a criminal history. The department also alleged that Belgal had associations with the Trinitarios street gang.
DHS stated that an agent discharged a weapon during the incident and that officers provided medical assistance to the wounded man.
However, the precise sequence of events leading to the shooting remains a matter of investigation. Accounts of the encounter and the circumstances that prompted the officer to fire have not been fully established in the publicly available reports.
Five-Year-Old Boy Was Inside the Vehicle
One of the most concerning aspects of the incident was the presence of a five-year-old child in the back seat when the shots were fired.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said early information indicated that agents had surrounded the man and the child before firing multiple rounds. He expressed concern about the danger posed to the child and called for federal authorities to address the incident.
Officials said the boy was physically unharmed and was subsequently placed with a family member.
The presence of the child intensified public concern, particularly among residents who questioned the safety of carrying out an armed enforcement operation in a populated neighborhood where children and families were present.
Officials React to the Shooting
The shooting prompted criticism from New York City and state officials.
Mayor Mamdani condemned the incident and said he had contacted President Donald Trump to discuss the operation. He also called for an end to ICE enforcement actions in the city.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she had spoken with federal officials and urged them to halt immigration enforcement operations in New York. She also called for the release of available body-camera footage to help establish the facts surrounding the shooting.
The incident drew protests from residents and activists. Demonstrators gathered near the scene and later moved toward the hospital where Belgal was receiving treatment. Reports indicated that confrontations occurred between some protesters and police.
Federal authorities defended the operation as a targeted enforcement action, while local officials demanded greater transparency about how the shooting unfolded.
Investigation Continues
The shooting is under investigation, with federal and local authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
Key questions include what happened immediately before the officer fired, the actions taken by agents attempting to detain Belgal, and whether video footage or additional witness accounts can clarify the sequence of events.
The NYPD said it was not involved in the ICE operation. The FBI was also reported to be involved in the investigation.
As inquiries continue, officials have called for the available evidence to be reviewed so that the public can better understand the incident.
Personal Details
Detail Information
Name Oscar Belgal
Age 28
Nationality Dominican
Reported Residence Not available
Occupation Not available
Family Details A five-year-old child was in the vehicle
Current Condition Hospitalized following the shooting; injuries reported as non-life-threatening
Incident Details
Detail Information
Incident Shooting during an ICE enforcement operation
Date Thursday, October 8, 2026
Approximate Time 4:00 p.m. local time
Location Marble Hill, New York City, near West 225th Street and Marble Hill Avenue
Agency Involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Person Shot Oscar Belgal, 28
Injury Reported Neck wound
Child Present Five-year-old boy
Child’s Condition Reported unharmed
Hospitalization Belgal was taken to hospital
Investigation Federal and local authorities investigating
Arrest Operation Targeted enforcement operation, according to DHS
Public Safety and Accountability
The shooting has renewed debate about federal immigration enforcement operations in residential neighborhoods and the safeguards needed when officers attempt arrests near families and children.
Local leaders have requested greater transparency, including the release of relevant video footage and a clearer account of the events that led to the shooting.
The investigation will be important in determining the circumstances of the encounter. Until more evidence is made public, claims about the officer’s actions and the events immediately preceding the shooting should be treated cautiously.
Final Update
As of October 9, 2026, Oscar Belgal had been hospitalized after being shot during the ICE operation, and the five-year-old child who was in the vehicle was reported unharmed. The incident had prompted protests and calls from local officials for a transparent investigation.
Further updates may emerge as investigators review the evidence and authorities release additional information.
Disclaimer
This report is based on news reports and statements attributed to officials available as of October 9, 2026. Allegations concerning the wounded man’s criminal history or gang associations are attributed to federal authorities and should not be treated as independently established facts. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, and details may change as more verified information becomes available.