Protesters in Minneapolis are calling for the removal of federal immigration officers following the fatal shooting of a man by a US Border Patrol agent during recent clashes. The incident has sparked outrage, with hundreds of demonstrators braving freezing temperatures to voice their anger.
The victim has been identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who had been vocal in protesting against Donald Trump’s immigration policies in the city. The shooting led to a confrontation between protesters and federal officers, who used batons and flash bangs to disperse the crowd.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, federal officers fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and resisted violently when they attempted to disarm him. This marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis this month, following another incident involving US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
President Trump criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on social media, questioning the response to the incident and accusing them of inciting unrest. Eyewitnesses have disputed the official account of the events, claiming that Pretti did not have a gun in his hand at the time of the altercation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry. The incident has reignited tensions in the city, with ongoing protests against ICE and federal immigration enforcement. A vigil was also held in Los Angeles to honor the victims of ICE actions.
