The U.S. National Rifle Association (NRA) and gun rights advocacy groups have called on the government led by President Donald Trump to conduct a "full investigation" into the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a professional nurse at a veterans' hospital, who was fatally shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis last Saturday amid a crackdown on undocumented immigrants by immigration officials.
Although the federal government claimed that Pretti was dangerous and armed, Reuters examined video evidence showing a different picture. The footage reveals Pretti holding a "mobile phone" in his hand to record a clip while trying to assist a female protester who was pushed to the ground by officers.
During the confrontation, Pretti attempted to intervene between officers and protesters, raising his left arm to shield himself when pepper spray was used. As several officers pinned Pretti down, shouts warned about a firearm. The video shows one officer drawing a handgun from Pretti's waistband area and stepping back, but seconds later, another officer fired four shots into Pretti's back, followed by additional gunfire from a different officer.
Minnesota state officials confirmed that Pretti held a valid concealed carry permit, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2022 as a constitutional right.
The case has drawn criticism from gun rights advocates and various politicians. Gun Owners of America stated that the Second Amendment protects Americans' right to carry firearms, even during protests.
This issue prompted the NRA, normally an ally of Trump, to criticize U.S. Deputy Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California, who stated, "Anyone carrying a gun toward officers risks being lawfully shot," calling it a "dangerous and misguided" idea. Essayli later clarified that his comments were taken out of context and referred to rioters approaching officers armed and refusing to disarm, not to lawful gun carriers.
Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Thomas Massey strongly added, "Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence; it is a constitutionally protected right. Anyone who does not understand this should not work in law enforcement."
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed the shooting was in self-defense and consistent with training, suggesting that peaceful protesters should not bring guns and ammunition to demonstrations.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rebutted the Trump administration's claims as "lies and nonsense," while the Minneapolis mayor described ICE's operation as an "invasion" and accused officials of distorting facts to cover up misconduct.
This marks the second fatal federal law enforcement shooting in Minneapolis within a month, raising serious concerns about communication protocols and use-of-force standards among officers in the area.