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Contains disturbing scenes.
Fatal shooting sparks outrage and protests
Federal agents fatally shot a Minneapolis resident on Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation, marking the second such incident in the city this month. The death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, has intensified tensions between local officials and the Trump administration over law enforcement tactics.
Conflicting narratives emerge
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that agents acted in self-defense after Pretti, allegedly armed with a 9mm handgun, resisted efforts to disarm him. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino described the encounter as a situation where Pretti posed a lethal threat to officers, though he did not specify whether the gun was visibly brandished.
Eyewitness videos and Pretti's family contradict this account. Footage shows Pretti filming agents with his phone when a scuffle erupted. In one clip, an agent pushes a woman, and Pretti steps between them, holding only a phone. Agents then pepper-spray him, tackle him to the ground, and strike his head. Ten gunshots are heard as Pretti lies on the pavement.
"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting."
Michael and Susan Pretti, parents of Alex Pretti
Timeline of the encounter
The shooting occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time (15:05 GMT) near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street. DHS claimed Pretti approached agents with a firearm, but videos show no weapon visible in his hands. After the shooting, DHS posted a photo of a handgun they attributed to Pretti, along with two ammunition magazines and no identification.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed Pretti was a licensed gun owner with no prior criminal record beyond minor traffic violations. However, he criticized DHS for withholding details about the incident, deepening distrust between local and federal authorities.
Political fallout and calls for accountability
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents, stating they responded to an assault during a law enforcement operation. She questioned why a "peaceful protester" would carry a gun and ammunition instead of a sign.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, dismissed DHS's version of events as "nonsense," emphasizing the importance of video evidence. "According to DHS, these seven heroic guys took an onslaught of a battalion against them or something. It's lies," he said.
The incident follows the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an immigration agent two weeks prior, fueling further protests and demands for federal agents to withdraw from Minneapolis.
Family demands transparency
Pretti's parents, Michael and Susan, released a statement mourning their son, a veteran caregiver at the Minneapolis VA hospital. They described him as a compassionate man who shielded a woman from pepper spray during the confrontation.
"Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends. [...] Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man."
Family statement
