The incident became a hot topic in the U.S. when federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a young nurse, on a street in Minneapolis. The Homeland Security Secretary claimed the agents acted in self-defense because Pretti was armed, but eyewitness video shows he was holding only a cellphone and helping others. The state governor called the incident "disgusting" and ordered an independent investigation.
The tragic event occurred last Saturday (24 Jan) when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, amid protests against the Trump administration's immigration raids.
Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, stated that Pretti approached officers carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and violently resisted arrest, forcing officers to shoot in self-defense.
However, evidence from video footage, including Reuters and eyewitness recordings, tell a different story. Pretti is seen holding a cellphone while trying to assist a female protester pushed down by officers. He was sprayed with pepper spray, then wrestled to the ground. An officer then aimed a gun at his back and fired four consecutive shots, followed by several more shots from other officers.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz strongly condemned the incident, describing the video he saw as "disgusting," and announced that Minnesota would conduct its own investigation, citing distrust in the federal government to investigate its own agents. Reports also indicate federal officers initially blocked state investigators from accessing the crime scene.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti legally owned the firearm and had no criminal record aside from minor traffic violations.
This incident deepens existing tensions following the death of Rene Good, another U.S. citizen fatally shot by federal agents on 7 January. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey questioned, "How many more Americans must die before this crackdown ends?" Meanwhile, Donald Trump responded on social media accusing the governor and mayor of "inciting rebellion with arrogant and dangerous rhetoric."
Pretti’s death sparked large protests in many cities nationwide, including New York, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. In Minneapolis, clashes turned violent as officers used tear gas and flashbangs to disperse protesters, leading to the temporary closure of the Minneapolis Art Museum and postponement of Minnesota Timberwolves NBA games.
The shooting occurred just one day after more than 10,000 people marched to protest federal crackdowns, citing incidents including Rene Good’s killing, the arrest of a U.S. citizen taken from his home while wearing shorts, and detentions of schoolchildren, including a five-year-old boy.
This escalation represents a critical test of the relationship between local and federal governments amid increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement policies.