Border Patrol agents shot and killed a man in south Minneapolis on Saturday morning during a physical altercation. This is the third shooting by a federal agent in as many weeks in the city.
Border Patrol was attempting to make an arrest where the shooting occurred, two sources told the Washington Examiner. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the officers were approached by a man armed with a handgun and a violent scrum ensued, leading to the shooting.
“As DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun,” the DHS wrote in a statement.
“The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted,” the statement continues, “The suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID.”
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino said at a press conference that the man, identified as Alex Pretti, appeared to want “to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”
About 200 people came to protest at the scene shortly after the shooting, according to DHS. Medics attended to the man but were unsuccessful at reviving him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This is a 37-year-old white male, who is a Minneapolis resident, and we believe he is an American citizen,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a press conference Saturday afternoon. “We need people to remain peaceful. In the area, we have an unlawful assembly at this time. Minneapolis Police have given multiple warnings for the crowd to disperse.”
Footage of the shooting shows several CBP officers wrestling with the man on a city sidewalk. After a struggle, gunshots were heard as agents backed away while shooting at the man. Social media users have been debating about whether the man was reaching for his firearm.
“Did they f***ing kill that guy? Are you f***ing kidding me, dude?” a bystander said in the footage. “Not again, are you f***ing kidding me? That guy is dead.”
Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) appeared to place the blame for the shooting on the federal government and “violent, untrained officers” in the wake of the incident. He previously criticized leaders for publicly rushing to pass judgement on the shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer earlier this month after she struck him with her SUV.
“I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening,” Walz said on X. “The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey suggested that the way to achieve peace in the streets is to get immigration enforcement officers out of the city. Officers have been repeatedly attacked during these operations, leading to escalations like the shooting of Good and the 37-year-old man.
“I just saw a video of more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents, shooting him to death,” Frey said during the press conference. “’I’m done being told that our community members are responsible for the vitriol in our streets. I’m done being told that our local elected officials are solely responsible for turning down the temperature.”
“If the goal was to achieve peace and safety, this is doing exactly the opposite. If the goal was to achieve calm and prosperity, this is doing exactly the opposite,” he added. “To President Trump, this is a moment to act like a leader. Put Minneapolis, put America first in this moment, let’s achieve peace. Let’s end this operation. And I’m telling you, our city will come back. Safety will be restored. We’re asking for you to take action now to remove these federal agents.”
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The shooting comes the day after more than 700 Minneapolis businesses shut down on Friday to protest ICE’s presence in the city.
The shooting of Good in early January by federal agents also sparked significant protests in Minneapolis. The FBI agent who investigated the shooting resigned last week after leadership pressured her to end the investigation.
