Saturday, October 10, 2026 -US immigration officials are defending federal officers who shot and wounded a 28-year-old man during an attempted arrest in New York City, saying they believed their lives were in danger. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the Marble Hill neighbourhood of Manhattan, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to arrest Oscar Belgal, a Dominican national.
According to senior ICE official Marcos Charles, Belgal accelerated his vehicle toward officers and struck two federal vehicles, prompting agents to open fire. Belgal was shot in the neck and taken to hospital, while a five-year-old child inside the car was reported unharmed.
At a news conference on October 9, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the officers’ actions, arguing that Belgal had placed both law enforcement personnel and the child at risk. Officials said the attempted arrest was connected to Belgal’s criminal record, including a grand larceny conviction and other pending charges.
However, New York City officials have raised concerns about how the operation unfolded. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Belgal was pulling into a parking space when a plainclothes federal officer approached with a gun drawn. Authorities also confirmed that officers fired multiple rounds, with at least seven shots reported. ICE body-camera footage has not yet been publicly released.
The shooting has sparked protests and intensified tensions between federal immigration authorities and New York City leaders. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the incident and called for greater accountability, while Governor Kathy Hochul also expressed concern over the use of force.
Federal officials, meanwhile, have criticised the city’s sanctuary policies, arguing that restrictions on cooperation with immigration authorities make enforcement operations more difficult. As calls grow for the release of body-camera footage and a closer examination of the shooting, key questions remain about the circumstances that led officers to fire. The investigation and any further evidence will be crucial in establishing a clearer account of what happened.
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