Illegal immigrant accused of grabbing ICE officer’s taser while shouting ‘Allahu akbar’ during arrest
Saim Irgi, 39, allegedly fought with officers and shouted the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar” – “God is great” – during the struggle before being subdued and arrested. ICE
A Turkish national accused of resisting arrest and attempting to seize an officer’s taser during a confrontation in Western New York is now in custody, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed.
ICE identified the suspect as 39-year-old Saim Irgi. In a Tuesday statement, the agency said Irgi allegedly struggled with officers while shouting the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar,” meaning “God is great,” before being subdued and arrested.
The incident began when officers in Buffalo were conducting a targeted operation in Tonawanda and spotted a vehicle leaving a residence linked to their investigation. After following the car and initiating a traffic stop, officers identified the driver as Irgi, a Turkish citizen who is in the United States illegally.
Officers reportedly ordered Irgi to exit the vehicle multiple times, but he refused. An ICE officer drew a taser and warned Irgi that continued resistance could result in its use. During the attempt to take him into custody, officials say Irgi grabbed the officer’s taser while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” prompting another officer to deploy a taser to gain control.
Irgi was transported to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, where medical staff cleared him for detention.
ICE stated that Irgi has a history of criminal charges since entering the U.S. illegally in July 2023. He was first encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Jamul, California, after crossing from Mexico and was later released pending immigration proceedings.
In March, Irgi was arrested in Pennsauken, New Jersey, on simple assault charges that were eventually dismissed. The same day, Philadelphia police took him into custody on charges including strangulation, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
Tammy Marich, ICE Buffalo Acting Field Office Director, described Irgi as “a significant public safety threat” and emphasized that officers “will continue to work tirelessly to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from the United States.”
Irgi remains in ICE custody as removal proceedings move forward.
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