MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 24 – The fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis has ignited widespread protests, intensified tensions between local and federal authorities, and raised serious questions about the conduct of immigration enforcement operations. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has become the second such killing this month, deepening public anger and political divisions across the country.
The man who was killed, identified as 37 year old Alex Pretti, was a Minneapolis resident and an intensive care nurse. Federal officials have defended the shooting as an act of self defense, while videos recorded by bystanders and circulated widely online appear to challenge that account. As investigations unfold, the case has drawn national attention and renewed debate over immigration enforcement tactics within U.S. cities.
The Incident and Conflicting Accounts
According to the Department of Homeland Security, federal agents were carrying out an immigration related operation when they encountered Pretti during a protest. Officials stated that Pretti approached agents while armed with a handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters that agents acted to protect themselves, asserting that Pretti was not participating peacefully and posed a threat.
However, multiple videos filmed by witnesses present a different sequence of events. The footage shows Pretti holding what appears to be a mobile phone as he records agents pushing and forcing protesters to the ground. As two women are shoved aside, Pretti steps forward, positioning himself between them and an agent. He raises his arm moments before being sprayed with pepper spray. Several agents then restrain him, forcing him down onto the street.
In the videos, a voice can be heard warning about a gun. Shortly afterward, one agent is seen moving away from the group holding a firearm. Seconds later, another officer fires multiple shots into Pretti’s back while he is on the ground. Additional gunfire follows. The footage then shows agents stepping away from his body before some attempt to provide medical aid, as others push back onlookers.
Local police later confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner and had no criminal history aside from minor traffic violations. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that his department was not involved in the shooting itself and arrived afterward to manage crowd control as protests grew.
Protests Spread as Leaders Clash With Federal Authorities
The killing quickly sparked large demonstrations in Minneapolis, with hundreds of residents confronting heavily armed federal agents. Tear gas and flashbang grenades were used as crowds demanded accountability. Protests soon spread to other major cities, including New York, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, reflecting growing national frustration with federal immigration actions.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz publicly rejected the federal account after reviewing the video evidence. He described the footage as disturbing and announced that the state would take control of the investigation, citing a lack of trust in federal authorities. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension later stated that its agents were initially blocked by federal officers from accessing the scene.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined the governor in calling for an immediate halt to federal immigration enforcement operations in the city. He questioned how many more residents would need to be harmed or killed before such actions are stopped. Local leaders emphasized that the presence of federal agents has heightened fear and unrest in communities already under strain.
Federal officials pushed back strongly. President Donald Trump accused local and state leaders of inflaming tensions, claiming their statements were encouraging disorder. In a social media post, he argued that criticism from city and state officials amounted to incitement. Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, accusing Minneapolis leaders of refusing to provide adequate police support to federal agents, an accusation Walz denied. The governor responded that local law enforcement resources were being stretched thin by the ongoing federal crackdown.
The shooting has also had immediate practical impacts on the city. Cultural institutions, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art, closed temporarily due to safety concerns. A scheduled Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game was postponed as authorities assessed security risks. City police urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning against damage to property while acknowledging the community’s anger and grief.
This incident follows the killing of another U.S. citizen earlier in the month, as well as several controversial detentions involving American residents and even children. Together, these events have fueled criticism that federal immigration enforcement has become overly aggressive and insufficiently transparent.