US Citizen Fatally Shot by Federal Agents in Minneapolis Amid Immigration Operation
A 37-year-old American citizen, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, has been shot dead by federal agents in the city of Minneapolis. This tragic incident occurred less than three weeks after another fatal shooting by immigration enforcement officers in the same city, which had already ignited national outrage and widespread protests.
Details of the Confrontation and Conflicting Accounts
The shooting took place during an ongoing federal immigration crackdown that has deployed thousands of officers into Minnesota and triggered daily demonstrations across the region. Video footage published by local media and verified by CNN shows federal agents wrestling a man to the ground on a Minneapolis street before several gunshots are heard. In the video, Pretti can be seen lying motionless as agents step back. The footage does not reveal what happened before the confrontation or whether Pretti was holding a weapon at the time he was shot.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara identified the deceased as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old white man from Minneapolis who is believed to be a US citizen. Family members have confirmed his identity, describing him as an intensive care nurse who worked at the Veterans Administration. Relatives said Pretti cared deeply about people and was distressed by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. His father, Michael Pretti, stated that his son felt protesting was a way to express his care for others.
Family Background and Legal Status
Pretti was a US citizen born in Illinois and an avid outdoorsman who loved spending time with his Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule, who also recently died. His family said he had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good earlier this month. Court records show he had no criminal history apart from traffic infringements, and his family emphasized he had never had contact with police. They mentioned that Pretti legally owned a handgun and had a permit to carry, but they had never known him to carry it. His parents revealed they had recently urged him to be cautious while protesting, advising him not to engage or do anything stupid.
Official Statements and Investigation
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti was carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun when he approached Border Patrol officers during what it described as a targeted operation against an illegal immigrant wanted for violent assault. DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said officers attempted to disarm the suspect, but he violently resisted, leading an agent to fire defensive shots fearing for his life and the safety of fellow officers. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid, but Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene. McLaughlin noted Pretti was carrying two magazines of ammunition and no identification, but did not clarify whether he was connected to the enforcement target or if he was a protester or bystander.
Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino said the circumstances remain under investigation but claimed Pretti appeared intent on harming officers, suggesting it looked like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement. However, Police Chief O’Hara confirmed the family’s reports that Pretti was a licensed gun owner with a valid permit and had no criminal history apart from traffic infringements. It remains unclear whether the weapon was brandished during the encounter.
Political Reactions and Calls for Action
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the video showed federal agents using extreme force, with more than six masked agents pummelling one of our constituents and shooting him to death. He urged President Donald Trump to end the federal immigration operation in the city, questioning how many more residents need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described it as another horrific shooting by federal agents and called for the President to end the operation, demanding the withdrawal of thousands of violent, untrained officers from Minnesota.
Senior White House figures quickly defended the agents involved. Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller described the deceased man as a domestic terrorist and would-be assassin, accusing Democrats of fanning the flames of insurrection to stop the deportation of illegals. President Donald Trump later posted a photo of a gun he claimed belonged to Pretti, urging support for ICE patriots to do their job.
Protests and Broader Context
The shooting reignited large-scale protests across Minneapolis, with demonstrators confronting federal agents in freezing temperatures. Live television footage showed officers deploying tear gas and flash bangs as crowds chanted shame and yelled expletives at ICE. Police declared the gathering unauthorized and ordered protesters to leave, with local officers dispatched to assist.
This incident marks the third shooting involving federal officers in Minneapolis this month. It comes less than three weeks after Renee Good was shot dead allegedly by an immigration enforcement agent on January 7, sparking nationwide protests. In that case, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good was participating in domestic terrorism and the agent acted in self-defence, despite video footage raising questions. A week later, an ICE agent allegedly shot a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg during a traffic stop after the man fled and resisted arrest, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed it is engaged and involved in investigating the fatal shooting. Governor Walz stated the state would investigate with no uncertain terms, vowing not to be stonewalled.
