MINNEAPOLIS — A recent shooting incident in Minneapolis has ignited significant unrest and renewed calls for federal immigration agents to withdraw from Minnesota. The confrontation occurred when a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, during a dispute involving an immigration officer and a woman on the street. This incident follows another shooting in January, further heightening tensions in a city grappling with a surge in federal immigration enforcement.
According to officials, the shooting took place on Saturday morning as Pretti intervened in an altercation. They allege he was armed, although bystander videos do not show him with a weapon. The Minneapolis police chief confirmed that Pretti held a permit to carry a firearm. His family expressed their devastation, calling him a kindhearted individual who aimed to make a positive impact.
The legal implications of the shooting have already begun to unfold. A federal judge issued an order preventing the Trump administration from “destroying or altering evidence” related to the case after state and county officials filed a lawsuit. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison stated that the lawsuit aims to ensure the preservation of evidence that has not yet been accessible to state authorities. A court hearing is set for Monday in federal court in St. Paul.
Ellison emphasized the necessity of an “impartial and transparent investigation” into Pretti’s death, calling it non-negotiable. Despite the gravity of the situation, spokespeople for the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have not responded to requests for comment following the incident.
Government officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have faced criticism for their handling of the situation. Noem asserted during a news conference that Pretti was present to “impede a law enforcement operation.” While she raised questions about why he was armed, she did not clarify if he brandished the weapon. Gun rights advocates noted that it is legal to carry firearms during protests, asserting that such rights remain intact even in contentious situations.
The political ramifications are also significant. President Donald Trump criticized local leaders on social media, accusing Governor Tim Walz and the Minneapolis mayor of inciting unrest. He shared images of the firearm recovered by immigration officials and questioned why local police were not present to protect their officers.
In response to the shooting, several Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have called for federal immigration authorities to exit Minnesota. Ocasio-Cortez urged her colleagues to refuse funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), framing the issue as a matter of protecting citizens from governmental overreach. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer echoed these sentiments, indicating that Democrats would not support spending packages that allocate funds to the Department of Homeland Security, raising concerns about a potential government shutdown by January 30.
The shooting of Pretti occurred just over a mile from the site where an ICE officer killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, on January 7. The sequence of events has intensified public outrage, particularly among Pretti’s family, who vehemently rejected the characterization of their son by federal representatives. In a statement, they described the narrative surrounding Pretti’s actions as “reprehensible and disgusting,” asserting he was not armed when shot.
Video footage from the scene depicts a chaotic confrontation, with protesters vocalizing their discontent toward federal officers. Pretti appears to have stepped in to protect the woman caught in the altercation. Witnesses reported that after he was pepper-sprayed, he was forcibly subdued by multiple officers, with gunfire erupting shortly thereafter. The exact circumstances surrounding the shots remain unclear, leading to further scrutiny from various stakeholders.
The situation continues to evolve, with protests emerging in several cities, including New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. In Minneapolis, demonstrators gathered in sub-zero temperatures to voice their anger, chanting against ICE and expressing solidarity with Pretti’s family. Local businesses, such as a nearby doughnut shop, opened their doors to provide warmth and refreshments to the protesting crowd.
The public outcry reflects a growing concern over the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota and its implications for community safety and civil rights. As investigations unfold and political debates intensify, the community remains on edge, seeking clarity and justice in the wake of this tragic event.