MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A federal immigration officer shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, prompting hundreds of protesters to take to the streets amid heightened tensions following another fatal shooting in the city weeks earlier. The deceased was identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse known for his opposition to President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The incident escalated into violent clashes between angry demonstrators and law enforcement, as federal immigration officers employed batons and flash bangs to regain control.
In response to the unrest, the Minnesota National Guard was deployed to assist local police at the request of Governor Tim Walz, focusing on both the shooting location and a nearby federal building where protesters had gathered daily. Limited details were available regarding the events leading to the shooting, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that federal officers were performing an operation when they discharged "defensive shots" after Pretti allegedly approached them with a handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. However, multiple bystander videos surfaced shortly after the incident, showing Pretti holding a phone rather than a visible weapon. Police Chief O'Hara noted that Pretti was believed to be a "lawful gun owner with a permit to carry."
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Pretti arrived to "impede a law enforcement operation" but did not clarify if he had threatened officers with his weapon. The immigration officer involved in the shooting was identified as an eight-year veteran of Border Patrol.
Former President Trump weighed in on social media, criticizing Governor Walz and the mayor of Minneapolis, suggesting their statements incited a potential insurrection. Trump shared images of the gun recovered by immigration officers, questioning the absence of local police support for ICE agents.
Pretti's family expressed their heartbreak and anger following the shooting, describing him as a compassionate individual dedicated to his nursing career. They condemned the administration for spreading "sickening lies" about their son, asserting he was not armed and was being assaulted when he was shot.
A video obtained by the Associated Press depicted the moments leading up to the shooting, illustrating the chaotic environment as bystanders shouted at federal officers while a physical struggle unfolded between Pretti and several officers. As tensions escalated and shots rang out, the video captured the chaotic aftermath of officers retreating after the shooting.
In a call for calm, Chief O'Hara urged both the community and federal law enforcement to approach the situation with integrity and humanity. He emphasized the need for proper conduct from federal officers operating within the city.
Officials from the Border Patrol highlighted the potential dangers facing law enforcement, citing a pattern of attacks on officers nationwide. Meanwhile, Governor Walz voiced a lack of confidence in federal authorities, indicating that the state would oversee the investigation into this shooting incident. However, tensions flared when state investigators reported that federal officers obstructed their access to the shooting scene even with a judicial warrant.
As protests continued despite frigid temperatures, demonstrators rallied in solidarity with Pretti's memory, voicing their anger towards federal immigration enforcement. Signs demanding "Justice for Alex Pretti" were displayed, while community members voiced their frustrations about the escalating violence and unrest in their neighborhood.
The circumstances surrounding Pretti's shooting echoed the recent death of another individual, Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE officer just weeks prior, further intensifying community outrage. In this atmosphere of distrust, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Democrats would not support a spending package that includes funding for the DHS, setting the stage for potential government shutdowns as funding deadlines approached.
