Leading New York Democrats have expressed anger and demanded curbs on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions after a federal officer shot a man in a car where a five-year-year-old child was sitting. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon in the Marble Hill neighbourhood of the south Bronx, has sparked fierce protests.
At least seven shots were reportedly fired, hitting the man in the neck. New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have all condemned the conduct. Mamdani called the incident “unconscionable” and stated that ICE had “whisked him away” from New York-Presbyterian Allen hospital.
Authorities confirmed the man was conscious and hospitalised before being taken by ICE. Mamdani said early reports indicated agents had surrounded the man and child in his car before firing. He also stated that he spoke with President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, but negotiations for the man's release were unsuccessful. Both Hochul and Mamdani have demanded that ICE cease its enforcement operations in New York City.
DHS later stated the man is from the Dominican Republic and has prior convictions, with the NYPD also noting previous arrests. The 28-year-old man has not been named, and his relationship to the child is unclear, though the child is reportedly being looked after by other family members.
Ocasio-Cortez joined Mamdani in calling for the abolition of ICE, describing it as a “rogue, lawless and paramilitary surveillance agency.” She also criticised Target for allowing federal enforcement teams to use its parking lots for arrest operations. Protests erupted in the area following the shooting, with demonstrators clashing with local police outside the hospital where the man was initially treated.