(WDNews) — A fatal shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis has led to multiple investigations, continued protests and responses from state and federal officials.
The shooting happened Saturday morning in south Minneapolis during an encounter between federal agents and 37-year-old Alex Pretti. Federal authorities said agents fired after a confrontation. Officials later said Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, was carrying a licensed 9 mm handgun that officers discovered during the incident. After a physical struggle involving several officers, multiple shots were fired. Pretti died at the scene.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti attacked officers. U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said Pretti posed a threat to law enforcement. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Sunday he had not seen evidence indicating Pretti pointed the firearm at officers.
Pretti’s family disputed the federal account and called for an independent investigation, saying he was attempting to intervene during the encounter.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the state filed a lawsuit seeking to preserve evidence related to the shooting. A federal judge issued an order barring federal agencies from destroying or altering evidence connected to the case. A court hearing is scheduled Monday in federal court in St. Paul.
Ellison said the lawsuit was filed after state and county officials were initially unable to access evidence collected by federal authorities. Representatives for the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which investigates police shootings, said its agents were initially blocked from the scene but later gained access and began working there.
Gov. Tim Walz authorized temporary assistance from the Minnesota National Guard to support local law enforcement amid demonstrations following the shooting. Minneapolis police later resumed primary responsibility for public safety operations, officials said.
Gun rights organizations said Minnesota law allows licensed individuals to carry firearms at protests. Federal officials questioned why Pretti was armed during the incident.
President Donald Trump criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis city leadership in public statements, questioning the role of local law enforcement during the operation. Former President Barack Obama also issued a statement calling the shooting a tragedy and urging cooperation between government agencies.
Several Democratic lawmakers called for federal immigration authorities to leave Minnesota. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would oppose federal funding legislation that includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown when current funding expires Jan. 30.
The shooting occurred about a mile from the site of another fatal shooting involving an ICE officer earlier this month, which also led to protests.
Demonstrations continued through the weekend in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities. Protest activity in Minneapolis decreased by Sunday morning as residents gathered at a memorial near the shooting site.
