A Turkish national has been detained after being accused of violently resisting arrest and attempting to grab an officer’s taser during a confrontation in Western New York, as reported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, ICE identified the suspect as 39-year-old Saim Irgi. He reportedly engaged in a struggle with officers while shouting “Allahu akbar,” which translates to “God is great,” before being overpowered and taken into custody.
Prior to the arrest, officers in Buffalo were conducting a targeted operation in Tonawanda. During this operation, they observed a vehicle departing from a residence linked to their investigation on that day.
Saim Irgi, who is identified as an undocumented immigrant from Turkey, was apprehended by ICE officers in Buffalo. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
After trailing the vehicle, officers pulled it over and identified the driver as Saim Irgi. According to officials, Irgi is unlawfully residing in the United States, as stated in the release.
Despite repeated commands from the officers to exit the vehicle, Irgi refused to comply.
According to the statement, an ICE officer drew their taser and informed Irgi multiple times that if he didn’t stop resisting, he’d be tasered.
While attempting to place Irgi in custody, officials allege Irgi grabbed an officer’s taser while screaming “Allahu Akbar,” at which point another officer deployed their taser to get control of the suspect.
ICE officials in Buffalo said the suspect had a history of criminal charges since entering the U.S. in 2023. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
He was later taken to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, where medical staff cleared him for detention.
Authorities said Irgi has a history of criminal charges since illegally crossing the southern border in July 2023.
According to ICE, U.S. Border Patrol agents first encountered Irgi near Jamul, California, after he’d crossed the border from Mexico.
The suspect remains in ICE custody with removal proceedings underway.
He was subsequently released into the country pending further immigration proceedings.
In March, police in Pennsauken, New Jersey, arrested Irgi on charges of simple assault that were later dismissed.
The same day, Philadelphia police arrested him on charges including strangling, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
ICE Buffalo acting Field Office Director Tammy Marich described Irgi as “a significant public safety threat,” and said in the statement that officers “will continue to work tirelessly to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from the United States.”
After Monday’s arrest, Irgi remains in ICE custody as removal proceedings continue.
