Protesters in Minneapolis are calling for the removal of federal immigration officers after a man was shot and killed by a US Border Patrol agent during recent clashes. The incident has sparked renewed demonstrations in frigid temperatures, with the victim identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse known for his activism against Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Following the shooting, a tense confrontation unfolded between protesters and federal officers, with batons and flash bangs deployed by the authorities to disperse the crowd. According to Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, federal officers resorted to firing “defensive shots” after encountering a man armed with a handgun who resisted their attempts to disarm him.
This marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis this month, following the death of Renee Good earlier in January at the hands of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). President Trump criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey on social media, questioning the response to the incident and accusing them of inciting unrest.
Eyewitnesses have raised doubts about the official narrative, claiming that Pretti was not holding a gun at the time of the confrontation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry.
The incident has spurred further protests, with a significant turnout at the ‘Ice Out of Minnesota’ demonstration despite freezing temperatures. In subsequent clashes, federal agents engaged with protesters, leading to arrests and heightened tensions.
Meanwhile, a vigil was held in Los Angeles to remember the “victims of ICE” in a show of solidarity with those impacted by immigration enforcement actions.