Authorities in Minneapolis have activated the Minnesota National Guard following the fatal shooting of a man by a federal immigration officer, an incident that has sparked large protests and intensified tensions in a city already on edge after a similar shooting earlier this year.
The victim has been identified by family members as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse and local activist who had publicly opposed President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Pretti was shot and killed Saturday during a federal immigration operation on Nicollet Avenue, drawing hundreds of demonstrators into the streets despite dangerously cold temperatures.
According to officials, federal immigration officers were conducting an enforcement operation when the confrontation occurred. The Department of Homeland Security said officers fired what it described as “defensive shots” after a man approached them with a handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. Federal officials later said the officer who fired the fatal shot is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said details surrounding the moments leading up to the shooting remain limited. He added that investigators believe Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. However, bystander videos circulating online appear to show Pretti holding a phone rather than a weapon at the time of the confrontation, raising questions about the federal account of events.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti had attempted to interfere with a law enforcement operation, though she did not clarify whether he drew or pointed a firearm. She questioned why he was armed but provided few additional details.
As crowds grew increasingly angry following the shooting, clashes broke out between protesters and federal officers, who deployed batons and flash-bang devices to disperse demonstrators. Protesters chanted slogans including “ICE out now” and blocked streets with trash containers, while some officers were seen shoving demonstrators and making mocking remarks.
In response to the unrest, Governor Tim Walz authorized the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard to assist local police. Guard members were sent both to the site of the shooting and to a nearby federal building that has become a focal point for daily protests.
President Donald Trump weighed in on social media, sharply criticizing Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Trump accused local leaders of failing to protect federal officers and claimed their rhetoric was encouraging unrest. He shared images of a firearm that federal officials say was recovered at the scene.
The shooting occurred just over a mile from where another federal officer killed Renee Good, also 37, during an immigration operation earlier this month — a case that also sparked widespread demonstrations.
Pretti’s family issued an emotional statement Saturday night, describing him as compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to helping others through his work as a nurse. They strongly disputed federal claims, saying videos clearly show their son holding a phone with one hand raised, not a weapon, and accused the administration of spreading what they called “reprehensible lies.”
“Our son was a good man who wanted to make the world better,” the family said, calling for the truth to be made public.
Chief O’Hara urged calm, appealing both to protesters and to federal agencies operating in the city. He said Minneapolis expects all law enforcement agencies to act with discipline, humanity, and integrity.
Meanwhile, Governor Walz said the state will lead the investigation into the shooting, citing a lack of confidence in federal authorities. However, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said federal officers initially blocked state investigators from accessing the scene, even after a judicial warrant was obtained.
The unrest has also spilled into national politics. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Democrats would oppose any federal spending package that includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown when funding expires later this month.
As night fell, hundreds of people gathered quietly near a growing memorial at the shooting site, lighting candles and holding signs reading “Justice for Alex Pretti.” Nearby businesses opened their doors to provide warmth, food, and water to protesters braving sub-zero temperatures.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, as Minneapolis once again finds itself at the center of a national debate over immigration enforcement, policing, and accountability.
Reporting by Kathy Moore.
