Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old illegal immigrant, was shot by federal immigration agents in the Bronx on Thursday and is suspected to be affiliated with the notorious Trinitarios gang. This gang has a long history of violent crime in New York City, including the murder of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz in 2018, according to officials.
Belgal, originally from the Dominican Republic, was targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents due to his alleged connections to the gang. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that Belgal attempted to flee while “accelerating” and “weaponizing” his vehicle against the officers during the attempted arrest in Marble Hill, prompting one agent to fire in self-defense.
Mullin confirmed Belgal’s known affiliation with the Trinitarios, which originated as a protective group of Dominican inmates at Rikers Island in the early 1990s and has since evolved into a significant criminal organization in the Bronx and upper Manhattan.
The Trinitarios have been linked to numerous violent incidents, including the mistaken identity killing of Guzman-Feliz, who was fatally attacked in a daylight incident captured on surveillance video. The gang was also implicated in the recent shooting death of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, who was hit by a stray bullet during a gang-related confrontation while riding his bike.
Freytas’ mother, Migdalia Martinez, expressed her disapproval of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s calls for the abolition of ICE following Belgal’s incident. She emphasized the importance of ICE for public safety, noting, “I just had my 12-year-old son die at the hands of someone who was a gang member.” Martinez called for continued efforts to apprehend violent criminals connected to gang activities.
Mullin explained that Belgal was pursued not only for his gang ties but also due to his potential knowledge of a previous incident involving the Trinitarios, where an off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was seriously injured during a botched robbery in Fort Washington Park. He revealed that Belgal had attempted to evade capture by ICE agents during an earlier attempt to arrest him last month.
Belgal has a criminal history that includes two prior arrests, one for robbery in 2023, for which he pleaded guilty, and another for drug-related charges that remains pending. His recent shooting is seen as part of ongoing efforts to crack down on gang-related violence in the city, particularly following a significant roundup of alleged Trinitarios members last summer.
The case has reignited discussions around immigration enforcement and gang violence in New York City, with community members advocating for stronger measures to protect the public from gang-related crime.
