Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has reacted to the ICE shooting incident that occurred on October 8, 2026, in Marble Hill, Manhattan.Reacting to the incident, the 36-year-old politician released a statement on X. Her statement highlighted that ICE’s “unwelcome” presence has been growing more “dangerous” with each day. She emphasized that the shooting incident is a “grave development” which requires an “immediate” response from the federal government.Alexandria demanded the release of “all body camera footage” for a transparent investigation. Additionally, she demanded that Target stores stop allowing ICE agents to use their parking lots at its Bronx stores as temporary bases for ICE operations. She added:“Target opening up large, active retail parking lots for paramilitary activity is unacceptable and places the entire community at risk. ICE is a rogue, lawless paramilitary and surveillance agency. It does not belong in New York City and it should not exist in the United States of America. Abolish ICE.”Continue reading for more details.More on ICE shooting incident amidst Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s statementLike Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, many others, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, have weighed in on the ICE shooting incident in Manhattan.Alexandria’s statement on the ICE shooting incident in Manhattan saw mixed reactions on social media. Some praised her for being vocal about the incident, while many dismissed her statement outright. A few others accused Alexandria of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over public safety, with some calling the “Abolish ICE” line extreme.Alexandria is of Latin and Puerto Rican descent. Her parents are Sergio Ocasio-Roman and Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom are of Puerto Rican origin. Her father was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, and her mother was born in Puerto Rico.ICE Blocked From Making Arrests At Immigration Courthouses by U.S. Judge in New York - Source: GettyThis was not the first time Alexandria spoke out against ICE operations in the US. But in her 2018 campaign, she made abolishing ICE a core platform, arguing that the agency lacks accountability, mistreats detainees, and fails to function as a recognizable law enforcement body.The October 8, 2026, Manhattan shooting incident has drawn harsh criticism from political figures and opposition, with people taking to the streets demanding a halt in ICE operations. The backlash reflects progressive opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, with many officials linking the shooting to what they describe as escalating and dangerous ICE tactics in New York City.According to the reports, ICE federal agents shot and wounded a male resident, who was later identified as 28-year-old Oscar Belgal. He was in his car with his five-year-old son in the backseat.A statement from the New York Police Department (NYPD) said that the man has been admitted to a hospital and is currently receiving medical treatment.The NYC Mayor immediately demanded total removal of ICE from the city, stating there is "no explanation" for firing multiple rounds into a car in a residential neighbourhood with a child inside. During a press conference in Marble Hill on October 8, he said:“This city wants ICE out…We want that because we want to keep the city safe. We do not need them to do so – all they do is terrorize the city. There is no explanation for these tactics. There is no explanation for federal officers firing this many rounds into a car that has a 5-year-old.”Governor Kathy Hochul said in a social media post that she spoke with President Trump and DHS Secretary Mullin and has urged the Trump administration to end ICE operations in the state.According to a report in ABC 7, the Homeland Security statement said the man who was shot had a prior criminal conviction for grand larceny, and multiple prior "arrests for assault, robbery, possession of drugs, and weapons possession." He is associated with the Trinitarios gang. It is the same gang that brutally killed a CBP officer last year."Mamdani reportedly spoke with Trump regarding the ICE shooting operations in the city, but he stated that the US President declined to budge on ICE operations or release the injured man.