Minnesota has activated the National Guard following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by an ICE agent. The Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, sought Guard troops’ assistance after protester Alex Pretti was killed near Nicollet Avenue during morning hours. Pretti, an intensive care nurse who opposed Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, was identified by family members amidst escalating clashes between protesters and federal officers.
The Minnesota National Guard was deployed to the shooting location and a federal building where confrontations with demonstrators were ongoing. Police Chief Brian O’Hara mentioned the limited details surrounding the shooting, indicating that Pretti possessed a valid permit to carry a firearm.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that federal officers fired defensive shots in response to a man with a handgun who resisted disarmament efforts. Video evidence captured by witnesses showed Pretti holding a phone but not displaying a visible weapon at the time of the incident. The shooting occurred close to where another ICE officer had fatally shot a 37-year-old woman earlier, prompting widespread protests.
Pretti’s family expressed grief and anger in a statement, describing him as a compassionate individual dedicated to making a positive impact as a nurse. They refuted claims made by the administration, asserting that Pretti was not armed during the altercation with ICE officers.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned that Pretti obstructed a law enforcement operation but did not provide specifics on whether he brandished the weapon. The ICE agent involved in the shooting is an experienced eight-year Border Patrol veteran.
Following the incident, President Donald Trump criticized Governor Walz and Mayor Frey on social media, questioning the absence of local police protection for ICE officers. He accused the officials of inciting insurrection with their statements.
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