A tragic incident unfolded in Minneapolis on Saturday, resulting in the death of a 37-year-old man during an encounter with federal immigration agents from Customs and Border Protection.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the deceased, identified by family as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, was a local resident and an intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration. He was reportedly a lawful gun owner, possessing a permit to carry a firearm.
According to officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Pretti was armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and two magazines when he approached U.S. Border Patrol officers who were conducting a “targeted operation” to apprehend an illegal alien wanted for a violent assault. During the encounter, officers attempted to disarm Pretti, but he allegedly resisted violently, prompting an agent to fire in self-defense, fearing for his safety and that of his colleagues.
Despite attempts to provide first aid, Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene, although conflicting reports noted he was declared dead at a hospital. A DHS spokesperson suggested that the circumstances indicated a desire on Pretti’s part to inflict harm on law enforcement.
Footage verified by CBS News captured a confrontation between officers and Pretti just before the shots rang out. The video shows Pretti without a weapon prior to being tackled to the ground by agents.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino addressed the media, maintaining that federal agents had acted in defense of themselves when confronted by Pretti. He stated, “We will not allow violence against our federal law enforcement officers,” but did not clarify discrepancies between his account and the available video evidence.
Chief O’Hara expressed frustration over the lack of communication from federal authorities regarding the incident, stating that Minneapolis police had not received any safety statements about what transpired. He confirmed that both the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were investigating the shooting.
The shooting occurred near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street, leading police to urge residents to avoid the area. Video footage from local news showed protests erupting in response to the shooting, with demonstrators clashing with federal officers and expressing their opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the community. As tensions escalated, law enforcement declared an unlawful assembly.
Mayor Jacob Frey called for an end to the federal operation in Minnesota, expressing deep concern over the violence and urging federal officials to reconsider their approach. He questioned how many more lives must be lost before change occurs, condemning the operation as a threat to public safety.
Governor Tim Walz also condemned the incident, stating he had communicated with the White House about the situation. He expressed outrage over the federal presence in Minnesota and called for the withdrawal of what he described as “violent, untrained officers.”
This incident marks the second fatal shooting involving immigration officials in Minneapolis this month, raising serious concerns about the ongoing enforcement tactics in the area.
