Bronx Killer Deported: Justice Delayed, But Served

Bronx, NY – Seventeen years after gunning down Edgar McCalla, a 58-year-old Jamaican immigrant and father of seven, Kemar Hamilton is finally gone from U.S. soil. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported Hamilton back to Jamaica on January 8th, closing a chapter on a brutal 2009 robbery-turned-murder that haunted the Bronx for over a decade.

The cold case broke open in 2012, two years after Hamilton illegally entered the United States in 2008. He was initially apprehended by Border Patrol agents within days of entering the country but released with a notice to appear in court – a common practice at the time. Approximately one year later, on February 19, 2009, Hamilton shot and killed Edgar McCalla outside his Bronx home during a robbery. He then fled, leaving McCalla’s seven children fatherless. A prepaid cellphone dropped at the scene became the key to unlocking the case, but initial attempts to find a DNA match proved fruitless.

The breakthrough came when local law enforcement stopped Hamilton for a traffic violation. A loaded firearm discovered in his vehicle led to a DNA match with the evidence collected from the murder scene. Hamilton was arrested and later convicted of homicide. A New York judge sentenced him to over a decade in prison. ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall didn’t mince words: “Kemar Hamilton should have never been in this country in the first place.” He added, “Enforcing immigration law protects Americans — and it protects our immigrant communities.”

While Hamilton served his time, immigration officials were already working on his removal orders. An immigration judge ordered his deportation on December 23, 2009. However, the wheels of justice turned slowly. It wasn’t until October 6, 2025, upon his release from the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, New York, that ICE Buffalo officers took custody of Hamilton to ensure his removal and prevent his re-entry into the community. The delay raises questions about the efficiency of the deportation process, even after a conviction.

The McCalla family’s long wait for justice underscores the devastating consequences of violent crime and the complexities of immigration enforcement. While Hamilton’s deportation offers a measure of closure, the seven children left behind will forever bear the scars of his actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked criminal activity and the importance of securing the border.

ICE continues to urge the public to report crimes and suspicious activity. Tips can be submitted by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or through the online tip form available on their website. Follow ICE on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, or Truth Social for more information on their public safety mission.