Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Saturday urged President Donald Trump to cease extensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state following a second deadly shooting this month involving federal agents in Minneapolis.
“I have just been in contact with the White House after yet another terrible shooting by federal agents this morning,” Walz stated in a post on X. “Minnesota has had enough. This is appalling. The President must terminate this operation. Remove the thousands of violent, untrained officers from Minnesota. Immediately.”
During a briefing on Saturday afternoon, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that the victim was a 37-year-old white male resident of Minneapolis, noting he had no known criminal record aside from traffic violations. The victim was later confirmed to be ICU nurse Alex Pretti by his parents and the Associated Press.
“The only interactions we are aware of with law enforcement pertain to traffic violations, and we understand he is a lawful gun owner with a permit,” O’Hara stated, although he acknowledged that the specifics of the encounter are still being investigated.
O’Hara mentioned that his department has communicated with the Department of Homeland Security, but that no specific information regarding the incident has been provided.
The recent shooting compounds the already tense standoff between Minnesota officials and federal immigration agents that has been ongoing for weeks. Earlier this month, an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, during an enforcement operation, sparking widespread protests and intensified political repercussions against the federal action.
“At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers carried out a targeted operation in Minneapolis related to an illegal alien sought for violent assault,” a DHS spokesperson stated on X. “An individual approached US Border Patrol officers armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, as shown here.”
Federal agents attempted to disarm the suspect, but he violently resisted, according to DHS: “Further details about the armed confrontation will be provided soon.”
Customs and Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino mentioned in a Saturday afternoon news conference that the federal agent involved in the shooting has been with the agency for eight years.
Trump addressed the shooting in a post on Truth Social, defending the federal operation and reproaching those who criticized his immigration enforcement efforts.
“This is the gun of the assailant, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and prepared for action – What is going on? Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they permitted to protect ICE Officers?” he remarked. “Did the Mayor and the Governor order them to stand down? It has been said that many of these Police were not allowed to perform their duties, forcing ICE to ensure their own protection — A challenging task!”
In a Saturday evening news conference, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem characterized Pretti as an individual intent on inflicting harm upon federal agents: “This appears to be a scenario where a person arrived at the scene to cause maximum damage and to kill law enforcement.”
When questioned if the 37-year-old ever aimed his weapon at federal agents, Noem evaded the question, redirecting instead to why a person would bring a firearm to a protest.
However, contrary to Noem’s assertions, multiple videos from bystanders and viewers at the shooting scene shared on social media portray a different narrative. One video obtained by The Associated Press captures protesters blowing whistles and cursing at agents on Nicollet Avenue.
The footage reveals an officer pushing a person clad in a brown jacket, skirt, and black tights who is holding a water bottle. That person reaches out toward a man, and they engage in an embrace. The man, wearing a brown jacket and black hat, seems to be raising his phone toward the officer.
The same officer then shoves the man in his chest, causing both to fall back while still embracing.
The video subsequently shifts to another location on the street before returning to the two individuals breaking apart. The footage once again alters perspective to show three officers surrounding the man.
Soon, at least seven officers encircle the man. One officer is on the man’s back, while another, holding what seems to be a canister, strikes him in the chest. Several officers attempt to force the man’s arms behind his back while he appears to resist. As they tug at his arms, his face comes into brief view on the camera. The officer with the canister strikes the man near the head multiple times.
A gunshot can be heard, but with officers surrounding the man, it remains unclear where the shot originated. Multiple officers retreat from the man after the shot. Additional gunfire follows. Officers back off, and the man lies motionless on the pavement.
In another video, reviewed by CNBC, it appears a federal officer retrieves a weapon from the man on the ground before any shots are discharged.
The DHS is said to be planning to investigate the shooting, as opposed to the FBI, according to two sources who spoke to MS Now.
In response to a request from Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, Walz agreed on Saturday afternoon to activate the Minnesota National Guard to assist first responders.
“The Minnesota National Guard’s role is to provide support to local law enforcement and emergency responders, offering additional resources. Their presence aims to foster a secure environment wherein all Minnesotans can safely exercise their rights, including the right to peacefully protest,” as stated by the sheriff department’s statement.
Minneapolis officials urged citizens to steer clear of the area and remain composed as local law enforcement and state patrol units arrived to separate demonstrators from ICE personnel, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., joined the governor in calling for ICE to conclude its operations in Minnesota.
“The world’s eyes are upon us. Thousands of citizens obstructed and harassed. Local police hindered from doing their jobs. Children hiding. Schools shut down. Remove ICE from Minnesota NOW,” she stated in an X post.
Yet, Trump administration officials attributed the responsibility for the shooting to the armed individual.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” asserting that he “attempted to assassinate federal law enforcement.”
— CNBC’s Terri Cullen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story is ongoing. Please refresh for updates.
