Minnesota has deployed the National Guard following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by an ICE agent on Saturday. Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis requested National Guard troops to assist local police after protester Alex Pretti was killed near Nicollet Avenue around 9am. Pretti, an intensive care nurse who opposed Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, was identified by family members as clashes erupted between angry protesters and federal officers.
The Minnesota National Guard was dispatched to the shooting location and a federal building where confrontations took place between officers and demonstrators. Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that there was limited information about the events leading to the shooting, noting that officers believed Pretti possessed a legal gun permit.
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed that federal officers fired “defensive shots” when a man with a handgun approached them and resisted violently when they tried to disarm him. Witness videos of the incident show Pretti holding a phone, but no visible weapon is seen. The shooting occurred not far from where another person was killed by an ICE officer earlier, triggering widespread protests.
Pretti’s family released a statement expressing heartbreak and anger, describing him as a compassionate individual dedicated to making a positive impact through his nursing profession. The family denounced the administration’s portrayal of Pretti, asserting that he was unarmed during the encounter with ICE officers.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned that Pretti obstructed a law enforcement operation but did not provide details on whether he drew or displayed the weapon. The ICE agent involved in the shooting is reported to be an eight-year Border Patrol veteran.
Following the incident, Donald Trump criticized Governor Walz and Mayor Frey on social media, questioning the absence of local police protection for ICE officers. Trump accused the governor and mayor of inciting insurrection with their rhetoric.
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