On Saturday morning, a Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old protester, igniting fierce debate about the use of force by federal agents during immigration operations. The incident occurred in Minneapolis and marked the second fatal shooting by federal immigration officers in the city this month.
According to authorities, Pretti was engaged in a physical confrontation with agents trying to detain a man wanted for domestic violence. During the confrontation, officers claim Pretti had a handgun and was resisting arrest, prompting them to act 'defensively.'
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the actions of the federal agents involved, insisting the video evidence shows a group of agents overpowering Pretti. He remarked on the growing unrest due to federal immigration operations, referring to them as an invasion of the city.
Department of Homeland Security officials supported the use of force, asserting Pretti posed a threat to law enforcement. Critics, however, including Minnesota's Governor, Tim Walz, have expressed dismay at the characterization of the events, emphasizing the distressing nature of what transpired.
Following the incident, there has been increased public outcry and calls for accountability regarding federal enforcement tactics in urban areas, as more protests and discussions about police practices heat up across Minneapolis. Furthermore, public safety officials have been responding to growing tensions by increasing police presence amid fear of further unrest.
