ICE shooting of man in New York with child in his car sparks outrage

Amna Nawaz:

An investigation is under way after ICE agents shot a man in New York City yesterday. Federal authorities say 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, who is illegally in the U.S., attempted to ram officers with a vehicle when they tried to detain him. ICE agents then fired at his car where a young child was in the back seat.

William Brangham has this report.

William Brangham:

Bodycam footage released today shows New York City police arriving at the scene of the ICE shooting finding plainclothes ICE officers, one seemingly dressed as a construction worker, carrying a long gun, another tending to Oscar Belgal, the man they'd shot in the neck minutes before, in the background, the car Belgal was driving with his 5-year-old son.

The boy was unharmed and is now with family members.

Man:

It was really quick. It was boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

Zohran Mamdani (D), Mayor of New York City: Let me say this plainly.

William Brangham:

New York's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, called the shooting an outrage.

Zohran Mamdani:

Tonight, a 5-year-old child sits traumatized and terrified. Tonight, millions of our neighbors are wondering whether they will be safe on our streets, in our schools, at their worksites.

William Brangham:

That night, protesters gathered at the site.

Protester:

Whose streets?

Protesters:

Our streets!

Protester:

Whose streets?

Protesters:

Our streets!

William Brangham:

The growing crowd clashed with police. Federal authorities say ICE agents were attempting to arrest Belgal when he tried to flee, and agents shot at least seven rounds at his car believing their lives were in danger. They said agents were unaware a child was in the back seat.

Marcos Charles, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Mr. Belgal was struck by one of the bullets or fragments superficially in the neck. He stopped his vehicle. We arrested him, rendered first aid information and then took him to the hospital.

William Brangham:

DHS said the 28-year-old suspect has now been transferred to an undisclosed detention facility outside New York.

Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary:

It is shameful that we're giving this particular case so much attention when this was a thug.

William Brangham:

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Belgal had a criminal history and blamed this escalation on the actions of New York officials.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin:

Sanctuary politicians, they create an environment for criminal activity to thrive, not for the American citizens to be safe. Underneath President Trump, he made it very clear he was going to restore law and order in our cities and our towns and our states, despite what happens with career politicians that put criminals in front of law-abiding citizens.

William Brangham:

Mayor Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul both talked with President Trump trying to negotiate Mr. Belgal's release and pressed him to stop immigration enforcement operations in New York.

In a statement posted to social media, Governor Hochul wrote -- quote -- "New Yorkers have witnessed far too many acts of violence by a rogue federal agency and untrained agents that operate with impunity."

Federal immigration agents have now reportedly shot at least two dozen people since the start of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in January 2025.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm William Brangham.