Authorities say more than 10 shots were fired during a chaotic confrontation involving federal agents, while protests, political fallout, and conflicting accounts continue to unfold.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
An armed man was shot and killed by federal law enforcement agents Saturday morning on the south side of Minneapolis, triggering protests, a multi-agency response, and sharp political condemnation from President Donald Trump, who accused Minnesota leaders of “inciting insurrection” amid an ongoing federal immigration enforcement operation.
The man killed was identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, a Minneapolis resident, according to the Star Tribune, citing sources familiar with the investigation in a report here. Pretti had an address in south Minneapolis and was shot during an encounter with federal agents near Glam Doll Donuts on Nicollet Avenue South.
Witnesses told the Star Tribune that Pretti was shot multiple times in the chest. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said officers believe Pretti was an American citizen and a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. O’Hara said Pretti’s known prior interactions with law enforcement were limited to parking and traffic tickets.
Records show Pretti attended the University of Minnesota and was issued a nursing license in 2021 that remains active through March 2026.
Video circulating online and reviewed by reporters shows federal agents restraining a man on the ground before an agent opens fire. Footage captured by witnesses appears to show a single gunshot followed by a rapid series of additional shots — more than 10 rounds fired in approximately five seconds. In another video posted to Reddit, several agents are seen struggling with the man before one shot is fired, followed by additional gunfire as the man remains on the ground. Bystanders can be heard shouting, “They killed that guy. Did they f**king kill that guy?”
A reporter from Bring Me The News who was near the scene said multiple shots rang out after an altercation between agents and the man. Video from the scene shows responders performing chest compressions while agents shouted for scissors to cut open the man’s shirt. Agents said 911 was called immediately.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the incident occurred during what it described as “a targeted operation” to arrest someone in the country illegally who was wanted on an assault allegation. DHS said a person approached Border Patrol agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and that agents attempted to disarm him. According to DHS, the agent who fired did so out of fear for his life, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told the Associated Press via text message that the individual had a firearm with two magazines and that the situation was “evolving.”
The gun, which was shown on social media and confirmed by Newsmax to belong to Pretti, was recovered shortly after the shooting.
City officials acknowledged the incident in a post on X, stating, “We are aware of reports of another shooting involving federal law enforcement in the area of 26th Street W and Nicollet Ave. We are working to confirm additional details. We ask the public to remain calm and avoid the immediate area.”
The shooting marked the third fatal law enforcement-related shooting in Minneapolis in three weeks, following the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good. According to an Associated Press report, Good, 37, was killed when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fired into her vehicle during a separate enforcement action. Saturday’s incident occurred just over a mile from where Good was shot.
Protests quickly formed near the scene. The Star Tribune reported demonstrators dragged dumpsters and furniture into the streets to block traffic, shouted at federal agents, and that tear gas and at least one flash-bang device were deployed. The Minnesota State Patrol was called in to help separate protesters from federal agents as police tape cordoned off the area.
Sources told the Star Tribune that ICE agents attempted to order Minneapolis police away from the scene, but Chief O’Hara refused and instructed officers to preserve the site. Several witnesses were reportedly transported to the Whipple detention center building for questioning.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a post on X here that he had spoken with the White House following the shooting. “Minnesota has had it,” Walz wrote. “This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
Initial accounts on social media varied. Minneapolis attorney and political commentator Will Stancil wrote that observers were involved in a shoving match with ICE agents and claimed one person was wrestled to the ground before being shot multiple times. He cautioned that the information was preliminary and “EXTREMELY fluid.”
President Trump responded hours later with a lengthy post on Truth Social here, accusing Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of “inciting insurrection.” Trump questioned why local police were “not allowed to protect ICE Officers,” alleging state and city leaders had “called them off.”
“This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about?” Trump wrote. “It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves — Not an easy thing to do!”
Trump also raised allegations of massive fraud in Minnesota, referenced Rep. Ilhan Omar, and said federal authorities were in the state because of “Billions of Dollars missing” and “Illegal Criminals that were allowed to infiltrate the State through the Democrats’ Open Border Policy.”
“Much of what you’re witnessing is a COVER UP for this Theft and Fraud,” Trump wrote. “The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric!”
As investigations continue, federal and state authorities have not released the names of the agents involved, and multiple agencies are reviewing the shooting. Officials said the situation remains under active investigation as Minneapolis continues to see daily protests tied to federal immigration enforcement actions across the Twin Cities.
Original article
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