Violence Hits the Bronx
A federal agent shot a suspected gang member in the Bronx on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred near West 225th Street around 4:20 p.m. according to law enforcement sources. The man, identified as Oscar Belgal, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At least one plain-clothes federal officer discharged seven rounds during the event.
Belgal has a history of violent crimes. According to the Department of Homeland Security, he has “a prior criminal conviction for grand larceny, and multiple prior arrests for assault, robbery, possession of drugs, and weapons possession.” He was arrested by the NYPD on December 7, 2023, but released days later. Officials claim local sanctuary policies put American lives at risk.
Trump Targets Sanctuary Rules
President Trump will speak at a rally in Syracuse on Friday. He plans to criticize Governor Kathy Hochul over New York’s anti-ICE laws. This follows a separate attack last week where two suspects stabbed an off-duty NYPD detective. The suspects, both Dominican nationals, had prior criminal records including robbery and weapons possession.
In August, Hochul signed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act. This law limits how state police work with federal immigration agents. The New York Post reported that Trump expects to rip into Hochul over these policies. She stated, “New Yorkers are outraged tonight. Immigrant communities are terrified. And we are demanding answers.” She further stated that she spoke with Trump and DHS Secretary Mullin about the shooting.
Mayor Fails to Stop the Agents
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani tried to negotiate the release of Belgal. For two hours, he spoke with President Trump and DHS Secretary Mullin. “Those negotiations were unsuccessful,” the mayor told reporters at a late-night press conference. Mamdani called for the end of the federal agency, saying it is “rotten to its core.”
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the NYPD had no role in the federal operation. She noted that Argus cameras captured the moment the vehicle backed into a parking spot. The mayor’s office said the suspect was taken from the hospital by unmarked ICE vehicles. Protesters gathered at the scene while the mayor demanded the agents leave New York City.
