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Border Patrol Agent Fatally Shoots Minneapolis Protester, Sparking Political Divide
Videos capturing the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minneapolis protester by a Border Patrol agent Saturday morning have intensified tensions between Democratic leaders in Minnesota and the Trump administration. The incident has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing immigration enforcement debate.
Around 9 a.m. Saturday, Alex Pretti was shot and killed following a brief, 30-second confrontation with federal officers. This marks the second fatal shooting by federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis this month, following the January 7 death of Renee Good, which was also captured on video.
According to multiple video recordings obtained by The Associated Press, Pretti was initially seen standing in the street holding his phone when confronted by an officer in tactical gear who pushed him toward the sidewalk. The situation escalated when officers were attempting to apprehend a man allegedly in the country illegally who was wanted for domestic assault.
As protesters gathered to disrupt the operation—using whistles, car horns, and verbal challenges—the confrontation with Pretti intensified. Video footage shows an officer shoving another protester who was wearing a skirt over black tights. When Pretti intervened, moving between the protester and the officer with his arms extended, the officer deployed pepper spray toward Pretti’s face.
The situation rapidly deteriorated as at least six federal officers surrounded Pretti, wrestling him to the ground and striking him multiple times while attempting to restrain his arms behind his back. Moments before the first shot was fired, someone shouted “gun, gun,” though it remains unclear whether this referred to Pretti’s alleged weapon or an officer’s firearm.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who reviewed one of the videos, described seeing “more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents, shooting him to death.” Frey has characterized the federal government’s immigration enforcement actions, dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” as an “invasion” of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
In stark contrast, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asserted that Pretti attacked the officers. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino claimed Pretti intended to “do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” Stephen Miller, President Trump’s deputy chief of staff, called Pretti “a would-be assassin” in posts on X.
The Department of Homeland Security maintains that Pretti “approached” officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, prompting them to fire “defensive shots” after he “violently resisted” their attempts to disarm him. Officials did not specify whether Pretti, who was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, brandished the gun or kept it hidden.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed dismay at federal officials’ characterization of the incident, stating, “I’ve seen the videos, from several angles, and it’s sickening.”
President Trump responded on social media by criticizing both Walz and Frey, sharing images of the gun allegedly recovered from Pretti and questioning why local police weren’t protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
The contrasting interpretations of the video evidence highlight the deep political divisions surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. While federal officials defend the actions as necessary for officer safety, local Democratic leaders view the incident as an excessive use of force resulting from aggressive federal immigration policies.
This latest shooting occurs amid heightened tensions as the Trump administration conducts what local officials describe as the largest immigration crackdown in the area, raising questions about federal tactics, proper training of agents, and the role of local protests in immigration enforcement operations.
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10 Comments
This is a tragic loss of life. My condolences to the family and community. I hope the investigation can shed light on the circumstances and lead to meaningful reforms.
This is a complex and sensitive situation. I’m curious to see how the various political leaders respond and what solutions they propose to prevent further violence.
It’s important that all sides approach this with empathy and a commitment to de-escalation, rather than partisan finger-pointing.
Disturbing footage, though the context is not fully clear. I hope political leaders can come together to address the underlying issues and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Agreed, this requires a thoughtful, nuanced approach rather than partisan posturing. The priority should be preserving life and restoring trust.
The videos seem to raise more questions than answers. I hope the authorities can provide a clear and transparent account of what happened.
While the political divides are deep, I hope all sides can find common ground in seeking justice and preventing future loss of life in these confrontations.
Tragic situation. I’m curious to see how the investigation unfolds and what steps are taken to address the systemic issues that contribute to these conflicts.
Tragic incident, though the details seem unclear. I hope the investigation sheds light on what happened and brings some measure of justice and closure for all involved.
Agreed, we need a full and impartial investigation to understand the facts before reaching conclusions.