Blakeman challenges Styles over tribute to shot migrant

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 15:21 · Archive

GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman criticised singer Harry Styles for honouring a migrant shot by ICE agents.

Harry Styles honoured Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old migrant from the Dominican Republic, during his 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Belgal was shot by ICE officers on Thursday during an arrest operation, with his five-year-old son in the car at the time. "I just want us to take a moment to think about Oscar Belgal tonight, and I want us to just think and remember to just look after each other," Styles said.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman responded swiftly on Fox News, saying Styles should "put that guy on his tour bus and tour around the country with this guy, who is a convicted criminal". Blakeman alleged Belgal had gang activity ties and involvement in drug dealing, calling Styles's stance "elitist" and "out-of-touch".

According to authorities, Belgal has previous arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession and weapons possession. The New York Post reported that he is believed to have entered the US illegally around 2022, admitted to a 2023 armed robbery, and has alleged ties to the Trinitarios street gang. He was shot after allegedly refusing to comply with officers during the targeted arrest operation.

How it is being reported

• Harry Styles challenged by GOP gov candidate to put migrant shot by ICE ‘on his tour bus’ after MSG tributeNew York GOP gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman ripped Harry Styles as "out-of-touch" after the singer honored a migrant shot by ICE during a recent performance at MSG.Fox News · 14 Oct, 14:56
• Blakeman tells Harry Styles to take accused gangbanger shot by ICE agents on tour after singer’s MSG messageGOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman told Harry Styles to take the accused Bronx gangbanger shot by ICE on tour -- after the pop star offered the illegal immigrant support at a recent New York show.New York Post · 13 Oct, 20:09

In this story: Harry Styles · Oscar Belgal · Bruce Blakeman · Madison Square Garden · ICE · Dominican Republic

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem