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Dominican father shot in neck by ICE agent as young child watched, deportation blocked

Oct 9, 2026·Location: Bronx, NY

Country of origin: Dominican Republic

Dominican father shot in neck by ICE agent as young child watched, deportation blocked
Photo via Gothamist

Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican national and father, was shot in the neck by a plainclothes ICE agent during an enforcement operation in the Marble Hill section of the Bronx/Upper Manhattan while his 5-year-old child sat in the car with him. Officials said agents approached with guns drawn, and at least one agent fired seven rounds after the vehicle moved; he was found handcuffed and bleeding on the ground. His child was unharmed, described as in shock, and was later placed with family members. DHS cited a prior grand larceny conviction, a pending drug-sale charge, and alleged gang 'associations' without providing evidence, while attorneys with Make the Road New York said Belgal remains in pain with a bullet still in his body. He was treated at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in stable condition before being taken by ICE to New Jersey and then transferred to a Brooklyn detention facility, despite efforts by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul to secure his release. A federal judge has since barred the government from deporting him, and the shooting prompted protests outside the hospital and calls for body camera footage and an independent investigation.

Timeline

Oct 9, 2026—Federal judge barred the government from deporting Belgal; protests held outside hospital demanding body camera footage and independent investigation
Oct 8, 2026—Plainclothes ICE agent shot Belgal in the neck during enforcement operation in Marble Hill while his child was in the car
Oct 8, 2026—Belgal found handcuffed and bleeding; hospitalized in stable condition; child located and placed with family
Oct 8, 2026—ICE removed Belgal from hospital and transferred him out of state despite officials' efforts to secure his release
Sep 1, 2026—ICE agents previously attempted to detain Belgal, who fled
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