Minnesota has activated the National Guard following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by an ICE agent on Saturday morning. Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis requested Guard troops to assist local police after protester Alex Pretti was shot near Nicollet Avenue around 9 am local time. Pretti, an intensive care nurse who participated in protests against Donald Trump’s immigration policies, was identified by family members as clashes erupted between protesters and federal officers.
The Minnesota National Guard was deployed to the shooting location and a federal building where confrontations were taking place between officers and demonstrators. Police Chief Brian O’Hara mentioned the limited information available regarding the events leading up to the shooting. O’Hara also indicated that officers believed Pretti possessed a valid permit to carry a firearm.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, stated 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, with no visible weapon in sight. The shooting occurred just over a mile away from where another individual was killed by an ICE officer earlier in January, prompting widespread protests.
Pretti’s family expressed deep sorrow and anger in a statement released on Saturday evening, describing him as a compassionate individual who aimed to create positive change through his nursing profession. The family denounced the administration’s portrayal of Pretti and criticized ICE officers for their actions during the incident.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned that Pretti attempted to obstruct a law enforcement operation, but did not provide specifics on whether he displayed or used the weapon against officers. Federal officials disclosed that the ICE agent involved in the shooting had eight years of experience as a Border Patrol veteran.
Following the incident, Donald Trump criticized Governor Walz and Mayor Frey on social media, raising questions about the role of local police and accusing them of inciting insurrection with their statements. Trump also referenced an image of the recovered firearm shared by ICE officials during his remarks.