Protesters in Minneapolis are calling for the removal of federal immigration officers after a man was shot and killed by a US Border Patrol agent during recent clashes. The incident led to hundreds of demonstrators braving freezing temperatures to take to the streets. The victim, identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, had been protesting against Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Following the shooting, tensions escalated as protesters confronted federal officers, who resorted to using batons and flash bangs to disperse the crowd.
According to Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, federal officers fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and resisted violently during an attempt to disarm him. This marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis this month, following another incident involving US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
President Trump criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey on social media, questioning their handling of the situation and accusing them of inciting insurrection. Eyewitnesses have disputed the official account of the events, claiming that Pretti was not holding a gun at the time of the altercation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry.
The incident has sparked further protests, with a significant turnout at the ‘Ice Out of Minnesota’ demonstration despite harsh weather conditions. In a subsequent protest, federal agents deployed tear gas and detained a protester following the fatal shooting. Meanwhile, a vigil was held in Los Angeles to honor the victims of ICE-related incidents.