ICE says 39-year-old Turkish national Saim Irgi was arrested in Tonawanda after allegedly refusing orders to exit his vehicle and grabbing an officer’s taser while shouting "Allahu akbar." A second officer deployed a taser to subdue him. Irgi was taken to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility and remains in ICE custody as removal proceedings continue. Authorities say he was first encountered by Border Patrol after crossing the southern border in July 2023 and has several subsequent local charges pending or previously filed.
Turkish National Arrested in Tonawanda After Allegedly Grabbing ICE Officer’s Taser and Shouting 'Allahu akbar'
ICE says 39-year-old Turkish national Saim Irgi was arrested in Tonawanda after allegedly refusing orders to exit his vehicle and grabbing an officer’s taser while shouting "Allahu akbar." A second officer deployed a taser to subdue him. Irgi was taken to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility and remains in ICE custody as removal proceedings continue. Authorities say he was first encountered by Border Patrol after crossing the southern border in July 2023 and has several subsequent local charges pending or previously filed.
07:50 AM, 11/19/2025Security
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says a 39-year-old Turkish national, identified as Saim Irgi, was taken into custody after an alleged violent confrontation with officers in Tonawanda, near Buffalo, New York.
Incident details
ICE reports that agents conducting a targeted operation observed a vehicle leaving a residence linked to their investigation. After stopping the car, officers identified the driver as Irgi, who officials say is unlawfully present in the United States. According to the agency, officers repeatedly ordered Irgi to exit the vehicle; he refused.
An officer drew a taser and warned Irgi several times that he would be tasered if he continued to resist. During the attempt to take him into custody, ICE alleges Irgi grabbed an officer’s taser while shouting the Arabic phrase "Allahu akbar" (meaning "God is great"). A second officer then deployed a taser and the suspect was subdued and arrested.
Aftermath and prior history
Irgi was taken to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, where medical staff cleared him for detention. ICE says he remains in custody as removal proceedings continue.
ICE also reported that Irgi has a prior criminal history dating back to July 2023, when U.S. Border Patrol agents first encountered him near Jamul, California, after he reportedly crossed the southern border from Mexico. He was released into the country pending immigration proceedings. In March, local authorities in New Jersey arrested him on a simple assault charge that was later dismissed; Philadelphia police charged him the same day with strangling, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
Tammy Marich, acting field office director for ICE Buffalo: "We will continue to work tirelessly to arrest and remove criminal, unlawfully present noncitizens who pose a threat to public safety."
All allegations remain unproven in court. Removal and any criminal proceedings are ongoing.