New York City’s Marble Hill residents furious after ICE shooting: ‘Why do this?’
Locals also express fear after man shot in the neck while his child was in the back of his car Residents of Manhattan’s Marble Hill neighborhood were furious at federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Friday but also scared after an officer shot their neighbor who had his child in the back of his car. Orlando Perez had parked his car on the corner of 225th St and Marble Hill Avenue…
Residents of Manhattan's Marble Hill neighborhood were furious and frightened after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot their neighbor, Orlando Perez, who had his child in the back of his car. Perez witnessed the arrest of Oscar Belgal, 28, on Thursday night, but felt unprepared for the gunshots that erupted the following day.
Belgal, who was reportedly shot in the neck with an assault-style rifle, was not wearing any identification or uniform, leading bystanders to question whether the agents were ICE or not. Video footage showed a man in a high visibility vest with an assault-style rifle, causing further confusion. The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, politicians, and officials who have called for an investigation, condemning ICE's violent enforcement and demanding the end of such actions.
Despite Belgal having prior convictions and being on probation for felony offenses, Perez, a longtime resident, expressed disbelief at the violent encounter and questioned why it happened in their community. Carlos Martinez, a 18-year-old resident, feared for his safety, despite being a US citizen and part of the same community as Belgal.
The small intersection where the shooting took place, home to five apartment complexes and businesses, has become a symbol of the tensions between the community and ICE enforcement in the neighborhood. Local officials have condemned ICE's actions and called for an end to such violent encounters, while some residents suspect ICE was looking for Belgal after seeing their officers and vehicles in a nearby parking lot.
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