October 10, 2026 NEW YORK, NY A quiet afternoon in Marble Hill exploded into terror and mayhem when federal immigration agents unleashed a volley of gunfire into a parked vehicle, striking a 28-year-old father in the neck just inches away from his terrified 5-year-old son.
The blood-soaked confrontation has ignited a massive political powder keg across New York City. More than a thousand furious protesters, civil rights advocates, and high-ranking elected officials poured into Foley Square opposite 26 Federal Plaza, raising a unified battle cry: Get ICE out of New York City immediately.
Seven Bullets, One Terrified Child: What Really Happened in Marble Hill?
According to statements from the NYPD, at least one immigration officer discharged seven rounds into a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Oscar Bergal. One bullet tore through Bergal's neck just below the ear.
Miraculously, the 5-year-old boy sitting inside the car was physically unharmed, but the mental scars remain immeasurable. The child is currently in the care of family members, while his father was secretly transferred from NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital into an undisclosed federal detention facility outside the city.
In the immediate aftermath, federal authorities and city officials presented starkly conflicting narratives:
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Federal Claims: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and DHS Official Marcos Charles alleged that agents were executing a targeted operation when Bergal ignored lawful commands, struck two federal vehicles, and "weaponized" his car by accelerating toward officers.
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The Uncovered Footage: NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed that city surveillance cameras paint a far more chaotic picture. Video shows plainclothes federal officers wearing construction-style vests and face-concealing masks—approaching Bergal’s car with guns drawn while he attempted to back into a parking space.
City officials openly questioned how any driver could reasonably identify masked, plainclothes men carrying firearms as legitimate law enforcement officers before panic set in.
"A War Against New Yorkers": Foley Square Erupts in Fury
Organized by the coalition Hands Off NYC, Friday's emergency demonstration brought together thousands alongside the New York Immigration Coalition, Make the Road New York, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), and the New York Working Families Party.
"Yesterday, a New Yorker was shot in the head in front of his five-year-old child," declared Murad Awawdeh, CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition. "May the agonizing screams of that five-year-old keep the officers who shot those rounds up every single night."
Protesters holding signs reading "ICE Out of NYC" marched from Foley Square to 201 Varick Street, home to federal immigration courts. High-profile figures joining the march included Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Comptroller Mark Levine, and Queens Assembly Member Catalina Cruz.
Key demands raised by organizers and leaders include:
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Immediate Public Release of Bodycam Footage: Demand for full transparency regarding federal agent actions during the encounter.
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Independent Criminal Investigation: Requesting New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate both the shooting and the NYPD's coordination during federal raids.
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Immediate Release of Oscar Bergal: Demands to drop custody holds and prosecute the shooter.
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Banning ICE Staging Grounds: Urging local retail giants like Target to prohibit immigration agents from using commercial parking lots to stage operations. Target has since stated it maintains no cooperative agreements with immigration enforcement.
