A U.S. immigration agent shot and killed an intensive care nurse in Minneapolis on Saturday, the second fatal shooting by federal officers this month as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown intensifies, according to a Reuters report.
Alex Pretti, 37, died after being shot multiple times during an immigration raid, despite video footage verified by Reuters showing him holding a mobile phone—not a weapon—as he attempted to help protesters pushed to the ground by agents.
The Department of Homeland Security said a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defence after Pretti approached with a handgun and violently resisted disarming attempts. Federal officials posted an image of a gun they said Pretti was carrying.
But verified bystander footage tells a different story. The videos show Pretti filming on his phone as a federal agent pushes one woman and shoves another to the ground. When Pretti moves between the agent and the women, he raises his left arm to shield himself as the agent pepper sprays him.
Several agents then grab Pretti, who struggles with them, forcing him onto his hands and knees. As agents pin him down, someone shouts what sounds like a warning about a gun. Video footage appears to show an agent removing a weapon from Pretti and stepping away.
Moments later, an officer fires four shots at Pretti’s back in quick succession, footage shows. Another agent appears to fire additional shots. Agents initially back away from Pretti’s body before some attempt to provide medical assistance.
Federal officials block state probe
The shooting drew hundreds of protesters who confronted armed and masked agents deploying tear gas and flashbang grenades. Demonstrations erupted in New York, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz questioned the federal account after reviewing video from multiple angles.
“I’ve seen the video from several angles and it’s sickening,” Walz said. “The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation—the state will handle it.”
Federal agents blocked Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators from accessing the scene on Saturday, according to bureau head Drew Evans.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record apart from traffic violations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the shooting, telling reporters Pretti had attacked agents during the raid, though she did not say whether he drew his weapon.
“He wasn’t there to peacefully protest. He was there to perpetuate violence,” Noem said at a news conference.
The situation calmed after federal agents left the area, though protesters remained on the streets for hours. City police and state troopers managed the crowd as local officials pleaded for restraint.
“Please do not destroy our city,” O’Hara said.
The Minneapolis Institute of Art closed due to safety concerns, and the National Basketball Association postponed a Minnesota Timberwolves game.
Second death fuels standoff
The killing raised tensions between state and federal officials already at odds over the 7 January shooting of another U.S. citizen, Renee Good. Federal authorities have refused to allow local officials to participate in either investigation.
Walz and other local officials called for an immediate end to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations.
“How many more residents, how many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press conference.
President Trump accused local elected officials of stirring up opposition.
“The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric,” Trump wrote on social media.
Vice President JD Vance, who visited Minneapolis on Thursday, accused local leaders of refusing to provide police support to immigration agents. Walz said the crackdown has strained local police resources.
Saturday’s shooting came one day after more than 10,000 people protested in frigid temperatures.
Residents had already been angered by several incidents, including Good’s killing, the detention of a U.S. citizen taken from his home in his shorts, and the detention of school children, including a five-year-old boy.
(information from Reuters)
