In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the city of Minneapolis, a 37-year-old legal firearm owner was gunned down by federal agents on Saturday morning. The victim, identified as Alex Pretti, was reportedly confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the officers were conducting an operation when the incident occurred. O’Hara stated that Pretti, who had a permit to carry, “violently resisted” when officers attempted to disarm him, leading to the use of “defensive shots.” However, the police chief appealed for calm, emphasizing the need for federal agencies to operate with “discipline, humanity and integrity.”
The shooting has sparked outrage and accusations from local officials, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who called it “an execution by immigration enforcement.” Omar accused the Trump administration of “trying to beat us into submission rather than protect us.”
President Donald Trump, known for his criticism of Omar and other Democrats, was quick to respond to the incident. In a post on Truth Social, the former president launched a tirade, alleging “massive Monetary Fraud” and “Illegal Criminals” in Minnesota, while calling for the arrest of those responsible for the “Theft and Fraud.”
The shooting comes amid ongoing protests in the Twin Cities following the January 7th killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE officer. Saturday’s incident unfolded just over a mile away from where Good was killed, further fueling the unrest.
As the investigation into the latest shooting continues, the community in Minneapolis is left grappling with the aftermath, with calls for transparency and accountability from both local and federal authorities.