A man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Saturday during a federal immigration operation. The shooting has caused anger and concern about how federal agents are acting. It was the fifth shooting involving federal officers this month.
The incident happened during large protests across the city. Thousands of people gathered despite the cold weather. They were protesting the Trump administration’s tougher immigration policies. Minnesota leaders criticised the federal presence. They said it felt like an occupation.
The protests followed the earlier death of Minnesota resident Renee Good. She died during a separate immigration enforcement action. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said federal officers were carrying out a targeted operation. She said they were dealing with someone suspected of violent crimes. According to Noem, an officer opened fire after the man acted aggressively and seemed to be an immediate threat. She said the man was armed, carried extra ammunition, and had no identification.
State and local leaders disagreed with this account. Governor Tim Walz said video footage did not support the federal version. He said the state would take control of the investigation. State investigators said federal agents first stopped them from starting their inquiry. Minneapolis police later identified the man as 37-year-old Alex Pretti. They said he legally owned a gun. They said he had no criminal history apart from minor traffic offences.
Videos taken by people at the scene show Pretti holding his phone and filming. He appears to be helping other protesters as agents push people to the ground. He does not appear to be holding a gun at the time. The footage shows him being pepper-sprayed, restrained, and forced onto the ground. Officers are then seen removing a firearm from him. Several shots are fired soon after.
Pretti’s father said his son worked as an intensive care nurse for the Veterans Administration. He said Pretti was very upset by immigration raids in the city. After the shooting, clashes continued between protesters and police. Officers used crowd-control methods to break up the crowds. President Trump criticised Minnesota leaders. Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for federal agents to leave the state. They warned the operations were increasing tension and violence instead of making the city safer.
