ICE Shooting Sparks Debate Over Border Safety and Child Safety
DHS Secretary Mullin defends ICE actions in NYC shooting involving illegal immigrant with child in vehicle.
3 min read
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a shooting incident in New York City, where an illegal immigrant was shot after allegedly evading officers in an SUV. Mullin appeared on “Face the Nation” to address the controversy, emphasizing the risks posed by the individual’s behavior.
Shooting Incident and Child Safety Concerns
On Thursday, an ICE agent opened fire on Dominican national Oscar Belgal, 28, after he allegedly accelerated his SUV toward multiple officers, according to authorities. Belgal, who has a lengthy and violent criminal record, was reportedly in a vehicle with his 5-year-old son in the backseat. Mullin described the situation as one of selfish behavior, stating that Belgal put his child in danger by refusing to comply with officers’ commands.
“We had our badges out, once again, giving lawful demands. He decided that he was going to accelerate and try to evade again,” Mullin recounted to CBS News’ Margaret Brennan. “We had taken every precaution to try to keep that from happening, and unfortunately, this took place. We would have loved for him to exit the vehicle, like we asked him to. He decided not to. Unfortunately, because of the selfish behavior, he put his 5-year-old in danger.”
Investigation and Legal Background
Belgal, who entered the U.S. illegally, has alleged ties to a violent Dominican-American gang and a lengthy criminal history, including multiple charges of felony robbery, assault, and drug offenses. Federal authorities have confirmed that Belgal was armed and considered dangerous, with possible links to a Customs and Border Protection officer who was shot last year. Mullin emphasized that the agency knew of these risks but still pursued the apprehension.
“He’s only been in the country for three years, and he has a rap sheet of four charges of felony robbery, two charges of felony assault, felony larceny … two felony charges of dangerous drugs and strong gang affiliation that has direct or indirect knowledge of a CBP officer that was shot last year. And this guy evaded officers last month when we tried to get to him,” Mullin added.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Investigations
Socialist Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly criticized the shooting and the presence of ICE in the city, speaking to Mullin and former President Donald Trump for two hours. Mamdani unsuccessfully lobbied for Belgal’s release. Body camera footage from the ICE agent who shot Belgal has not yet been released, though NYPD footage from the scene was made public.
Mullin clarified that immigration agents were not aware of Belgal’s child in the vehicle at the time and that the responsibility for putting the child in danger rested with Belgal. “We knew his pattern of life, but we didn’t know the 5-year-old was in the vehicle,” he said. “Who did know the 5-year-old was in the vehicle was Oscar. Now as a father of six kids, no way would I ever put my kids in danger.”
This criminal illegal alien is the definition of worst of the worst. His criminal history includes a prior criminal conviction for fourth-degree grand larceny, prior arrests for first-degree robbery: forcible theft armed with a deadly weapon, criminal sale of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, and assault. He has associations with the violent Trinitarios gang. New York sanctuary politicians have created an environment for criminal activity to thrive, not for American citizens to be safe.
Belgal remains in a detention center after being treated for his injuries. The Department of Homeland Security has labeled him “the definition of worst of the worst” in a recent post on X, highlighting the severity of his criminal background.
Source: Daily Caller
