Full Breakdown
ICE Officers Shoot Dominican Man Driving with 5-Year-Old Son in Manhattan
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During a federal immigration enforcement operation in Manhattan’s Marble Hill neighborhood, ICE officers in civilian clothing shot a 28-year-old Dominican man driving a sedan with his 5-year-old son in the back seat. ICE enforcement head Marcos Charles said the driver accelerated and collided with two ICE vehicles, prompting officers to fire. The man was hit superficially in the neck, treated at a hospital and taken into federal custody. The child was unharmed.
Background & Context
The shooting occurred amid President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, during which ICE has cited perceived threats—such as suspects attempting to ram officers—to justify firearm use. Prior vehicle-stop shootings include the July 10 fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and earlier incidents in Minneapolis, Houston and Chicago that raised questions about threat assessments.
Data & Statistics
- ICE reports officers have fired in more than a dozen vehicle stops since last year, resulting in at least four deaths and additional injuries.
- In this case, an officer discharged seven rounds, striking the driver below his left ear.
- ICE officials have asked New York authorities to hold over 14,000 individuals for federal detention.
Official Statements & Responses
- Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, blamed the driver for endangering his child and criticized New York officials for creating an “unsafe atmosphere.”
- Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayor, called the shooting “an outrage” and demanded release of ICE body-camera footage.
- Kathy Hochul, New York governor, urged President Trump and Secretary Mullin to halt ICE actions in the city and requested a transparent accounting.
- Jessica Tisch, NYPD commissioner, said the driver pulled into a parking space, then moved forward as plain-clothes officers approached with guns drawn, after which officers opened fire.
Criticism & Opposition
- The Legal Aid Society, representing the driver in a separate narcotics case, called for a full investigation.
- Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul condemned the use of force as “unconscionable” and demanded an end to ICE operations in the city.
On-the-Ground Reports
Witnesses heard three to four gunshots and saw officers in masks and DHS-branded vests surrounding the driver. Bystander videos show the man on the ground with his hands behind his back while officers lift him into a black SUV. One officer can be heard saying, “Yo put pressure. Put pressure,” as the vehicle backs away.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Spelling of the driver’s name varies: NYPD and court records list “Oscar Belgal,” his lawyers use “Bergal,” and federal officials have spelled it “Bengal.”
- Nature of the vehicle collision is disputed: ICE statements claim the driver “smashed into two government vehicles,” while NYPD video does not clearly show a collision.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Get ICE out of our neighborhoods. Get ICE out of our hospitals. Get ICE off our streets. Get ICE away from our children.” — Gov. Kathy Hochul
What’s Next
ICE says body-camera footage is “activated” but has not set a release date; agency policy allows release within 72 hours if deemed in the agency’s best interest. New York officials have requested the footage and indicated they will pursue legal avenues if delayed. The Bronx district attorney’s investigation continues, and federal authorities are still examining the shooting.