Zehran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York, has asked President Donald Trump to halt the operations of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city following a shooting incident that injured one person. Mamdani described the incident in a statement released on Thursday as an "unacceptable and very serious situation" and stated: "I have spoken with the President and during my conversation, I will ask him to stop all ICE enforcement actions in our city. I cannot remain indifferent while ICE agents have terrified our community.
Details of the Shooting in Marble Hill
New York police reported that around ٤ PM, federal agents were involved in a shooting in the residential area of Marble Hill in New York, resulting in one man being injured. The police statement indicated that the shooting victim is conscious and receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
Read more: A man was shot by an ICE agent in New York
Mamdani, at a press conference held before a crowd of protesters, stated that after a two-hour conversation with Trump and Homeland Security Secretary, Mark-Win Malin, he was unable to negotiate for the release of the shooting victim. This incident tests Mamdani's friendly relations with the President, while Trump appears to remain committed to his immigration agenda.
Reactions to the Shooting and Criticism
Mamdani, who is strongly opposed to ICE operations, has addressed criticisms of the agency, stating that ICE undermines public safety. He also emphasized: "I have directly stated that ICE undermines public safety, both to the President and to the general public.
Meanwhile, Kathy Hochul, the Governor of New York, also reacted strongly to the shooting, stating that she too has spoken with Trump and Malin. Hochul said: "New Yorkers have witnessed many violent acts by an unlawful federal agency and untrained agents who operate without any restrictions. Federal officials must be held accountable and must do so immediately.
According to initial information, New York police received several ٩١١ emergency calls at around ٤ PM reporting a shooting and an injured individual. According to Jesse Katis, the Commissioner of the New York City Police, federal agents were conducting a targeted enforcement operation to apprehend an individual who was in a gray vehicle.
Federal officials identified ٢٨-year-old Oxar Belgal as the target of this operation, who was accompanied by a ٥-year-old boy believed by the police to be his son.
The shootings have raised significant concerns about public safety, and this incident is considered the latest in a series of violent incidents involving federal immigration agents. Estimates suggest that more than ٢٠ individuals have been shot in these incidents, with at least six of them losing their lives.
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