Trump Calls ICE Heroes for Dominican Shot on 8 October

On 9 October, President Donald Trump praised the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who shot a 28-year-old Dominican man, Oscar Bergal, in New York. Bergal's 5-year-old son was present in the car when the incident occurred. The shooting took place on Thursday 8 October in Marble Hill, a Manhattan neighborhood on the Bronx side of the Harlem River.

According to Trump, Bergal was a man with a long criminal history, wanted for possible murder and gang-related killings. He claimed that local politicians had released Bergal, despite the ICE agents apprehending him. The president did not name Bergal or provide evidence for his claims. Over 1,000 protesters gathered in Foley Square, Lower Manhattan, the following evening.

They demanded an independent inquiry and urged ICE to leave New York City. The rally was organized by Hands Off NYC, a coalition of advocacy groups, and featured public figures such as New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and City Comptroller Mark Levine. ICE alleges ties between Bergal and the Trinitarios gang, though these claims have not been independently verified.

Bergal's name is spelled differently in court records and Dominican media (Bergal, Belgal, and Bengal). Bergal had previously been convicted of fourth-degree grand larceny in 2023 and was on probation at the time of the shooting. A grand jury is still considering a drug sale case against him. A federal judge in Manhattan barred Bergal's deportation on Friday 9 October, while the court continues to review his case.

The incident highlights how the White House is positioning tough immigration enforcement as a winning issue, even in a Democratic state. The outcome of the 3 November election remains uncertain.