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Tensions Flare After Fatal Shooting of Nurse by Border Patrol in Minneapolis
Federal immigration officers fatally shot a Minneapolis man on Saturday, triggering widespread protests and intensifying political tensions in a city already reeling from another recent shooting death.
Family members identified the victim as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse known for his activism against immigration crackdowns. The shooting occurred about a mile from where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer killed 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7, which had already sparked demonstrations across the city.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the shooting site despite temperatures plunging to minus 6 degrees Fahrenheit, demanding that federal immigration authorities leave Minnesota. The Minnesota National Guard was deployed to assist local police both at the shooting location and at a federal building where demonstrators have been gathering daily.
Details surrounding the shooting remain contested. The Department of Homeland Security claimed federal officers fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and “violently resisted” disarmament efforts. However, bystander videos that emerged shortly after the incident appear to show Pretti with a phone in his hand, with no visible weapon.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that Pretti was believed to be a “lawful gun owner with a permit to carry,” though information about what precipitated the shooting remains limited. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asserted during a news conference that Pretti had arrived to “impede a law enforcement operation” but provided few specifics about whether he had brandished or drawn a weapon.
In a bystander video obtained by The Associated Press, officers are seen confronting Pretti on Nicollet Avenue. The footage shows an officer shoving Pretti, followed by several officers surrounding him. During the struggle, at least seven officers can be seen attempting to restrain Pretti before shots ring out, leaving him motionless on the street.
The incident has sparked a jurisdictional dispute between state and federal authorities. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed no confidence in federal officials and insisted the state would lead the investigation. However, Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, revealed that federal officers blocked his agency from accessing the scene, even after obtaining a signed judicial warrant.
Pretti’s family released an emotional statement Saturday evening, describing him as “a kindhearted soul who wanted to make a difference in the world through his work as a nurse.” They forcefully rejected the administration’s characterization of events: “The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.”
The shooting has quickly escalated into a national political flashpoint. President Donald Trump criticized Governor Walz and the Minneapolis mayor on social media, accusing them of “inciting insurrection with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric.” He questioned why local police weren’t protecting federal officers.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York demanded that federal immigration authorities leave Minnesota and urged Democrats to refuse funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stating: “We have a responsibility to protect Americans from tyranny.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer later announced that Democrats would not vote for a spending package including money for DHS, significantly increasing the possibility of a partial government shutdown when current funding expires on January 30.
The unrest has spread beyond Minneapolis, with demonstrations erupting in New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. In Minneapolis, protesters blocked streets with dumpsters, chanting “ICE out now” and “Observing ICE is not a crime.” As darkness fell, hundreds gathered at a growing memorial at the shooting site, carrying signs reading “Justice for Alex Pretti.”
Gregory Bovino of U.S. Border Patrol, who commands the administration’s immigration enforcement operations in major cities, defended the officer involved, noting his extensive training as a range safety officer and in using less-lethal force.
“This is only the latest attack on law enforcement. Across the country, the men and women of DHS have been attacked, shot at,” Bovino stated.
As investigations continue, Chief O’Hara appealed for calm from both the public and federal law enforcement, emphasizing: “Our demand today is for those federal agencies that are operating in our city to do so with the same discipline, humanity and integrity that effective law enforcement in this country demands.”
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10 Comments
The deployment of the National Guard to assist local police in response to protests is concerning. I hope the authorities can find a way to de-escalate the situation and address the community’s valid concerns through open dialogue and transparent investigations.
This is a highly charged and politically sensitive issue. I encourage all parties to exercise restraint, seek the facts, and work towards constructive solutions that protect public safety and civil rights.
This is a tragic and disturbing incident. The loss of life is deeply concerning, and the community’s demand for answers and accountability is understandable. I hope the authorities can provide a thorough and transparent investigation to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this shooting.
Protests against heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics are justified if the facts support allegations of excessive force. However, we should wait for the full details to emerge before passing judgment.
This incident highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between federal immigration enforcement and local communities. I hope the authorities can find a way to balance public safety with respect for civil liberties and human rights.
While the details remain unclear, the loss of life is tragic. It’s critical that any use of force by authorities be thoroughly investigated and held to the highest standards of accountability.
The shooting of a nurse during an immigration enforcement action raises serious questions about the tactics and training of federal agents. I hope the investigation can lead to reforms that prioritize de-escalation and the protection of innocent lives.
While the full details are still emerging, the community’s demand for accountability is understandable. It’s crucial that the authorities conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine exactly what happened.
The shooting of a nurse during an immigration crackdown raises serious questions about the use of force and the impact on local communities. I hope the investigation can uncover the facts and lead to reforms that prioritize de-escalation and protect innocent lives.
Tensions are clearly high, and both sides need to exercise restraint. Peaceful protest is a valid way to express concerns, but violence or property damage will only inflame the situation further.