The Minneapolis federal agents shooting that left 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti dead has ignited widespread protests, political condemnation, and renewed debate over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy. The killing, which occurred during a federal raid in Minneapolis, marks the second fatal shooting of a civilian by immigration agents in the city within weeks and has intensified tensions between federal authorities and Minnesota’s state and local leadership.
Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse and lifelong Minneapolis resident, was shot multiple times by a US Border Patrol agent during an operation carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. Authorities confirmed he later died in hospital, sparking immediate public anger and calls for the withdrawal of federal agents from the city.
What Happened During the Minneapolis Raid
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the shooting occurred on Saturday amid a weeks-long federal deployment targeting undocumented immigrants. O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a US citizen with no criminal history beyond minor traffic violations.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that a Border Patrol agent fired “defensive shots” after Pretti allegedly approached officers with a handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. Federal officials said the officer involved is an eight-year veteran of the Border Patrol.
However, video footage captured by bystanders appears to contradict the official account. Multiple recordings show Pretti holding what looks like a mobile phone, not a firearm, as he films federal agents pushing protesters to the ground. Moments later, Pretti is seen being pepper-sprayed, restrained by multiple agents, and forced onto his hands and knees.
Footage then shows an agent removing a gun from Pretti and stepping away before another officer fires several shots into his back at close range. Witnesses say additional shots followed seconds later.
Family Rejects Federal Account of the Shooting
Pretti’s family issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the DHS version of events, calling the killing “reprehensible” and accusing federal officials of spreading false claims to justify lethal force.
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are disgusting,” the statement said. “Alex was holding his phone, not a gun. His left hand was raised as he tried to protect others while being pepper sprayed.”
The family described Pretti as a compassionate nurse dedicated to helping others and said he had hoped to make a difference through his medical work. Two witnesses later filed sworn statements with the US District Court of Minnesota asserting that Pretti never brandished a weapon during the encounter.
Protests Erupt Across Minneapolis
News of the Minneapolis federal agents shooting triggered immediate protests in the neighbourhood where Pretti was killed. Hundreds of demonstrators confronted masked and heavily armed federal officers, chanting slogans and demanding that ICE leave the city.
Federal agents responded by deploying tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse crowds. Protesters shouted profanities, calling officers “cowards” and accusing them of terrorising residents. One officer was captured on video mocking demonstrators as he walked away, further inflaming tensions.
Although federal agents eventually withdrew from the area, protests continued for hours, underscoring the deep public anger surrounding the killing.
Minnesota Leaders Condemn Federal Operations
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the incident as part of a broader pattern of violence, saying immigration enforcement had become “a campaign of organised brutality.”
“This long ago stopped being about immigration,” Walz said. “Today, that campaign claimed another life.”
Walz pledged that Minnesota authorities would handle the investigation into Pretti’s death and called for a pause in federal operations until accountability is established.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed those concerns, denouncing what he described as unchecked violence by federal agents operating in the city.
“How many more Americans need to die for this operation to end?” Frey asked. “This is not creating safety — it’s creating fear.”
Trump Defends Agents and Attacks Local Officials
President Donald Trump responded to the shooting by defending federal agents and attacking Minnesota’s Democratic leadership. Posting on Truth Social, Trump shared images of a handgun recovered at the scene and accused Governor Walz and Mayor Frey of undermining law enforcement.
The president claimed local officials were “inciting insurrection” and questioned why local police were not allowed to protect federal officers during the operation.
Trump and senior administration officials have framed the Minneapolis deployment as part of the largest deportation effort in US history. However, critics argue that the heavy-handed tactics have endangered civilians and escalated violence rather than improving public safety.
A Pattern of Fatal Encounters Raises Alarm
Pretti’s killing comes less than three weeks after another US citizen, Renee Good, was shot and killed by an ICE officer during a separate incident in Minneapolis. Federal agents also shot a Venezuelan man in the city last week, further intensifying scrutiny of enforcement tactics.
Civil rights advocates warn that the repeated use of lethal force against civilians — including US citizens — represents a dangerous escalation with potentially long-term consequences for public trust.
Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar described the shooting as “an execution” and accused the Trump administration of turning Minneapolis into a “war zone.” Senator Amy Klobuchar called on the federal government to immediately withdraw ICE agents from the state.
Legal Questions and Calls for Investigation
Legal experts say the Minneapolis federal agents shooting raises serious questions about the rules of engagement governing immigration enforcement operations. While Minnesota law permits open carry with a license, the circumstances under which deadly force was used remain highly contested.
Republican strategist Amy Koch, a former Minnesota Senate leader, said an independent investigation is essential.
“This is intolerable,” she said. “There must be a pause, transparency, and cooperation between state and federal authorities to determine what actually happened.”
State officials confirmed they are working to de-escalate tensions while pursuing a full review of the incident.
A City on Edge
Minneapolis has remained politically and socially sensitive since the 2020 killing of George Floyd, an event that reshaped national debates on policing and accountability. Observers say the latest shooting has reopened those wounds, turning the city into what one reporter described as a “tinderbox.”
Residents argue that the presence of thousands of armed federal agents has created fear rather than security, particularly in communities already wary of law enforcement.
As protests continue and investigations unfold, the Minneapolis federal agents shooting has become a defining flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, use of force, and federal authority over local communities.
This report is part of FFRNEWS World & US Affairs coverage, tracking civil rights, law enforcement actions, and federal policy developments. Details in this article are based on reporting by Al Jazeera, which documented the shooting, eyewitness accounts, and official responses.
