US citizen killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, sparking nationwide protests

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continuing operations in Minneapolis shot and killed another US citizen on Saturday, prompting protesters to take to the streets in several cities.

The individual killed by ICE agents was identified by family members as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged that Pretti was carrying a handgun and was shot by ICE agents acting in self-defense after he purportedly resisted attempts to disarm him.

In a written statement, Pretti’s family noted that he worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital. Speaking to the Associated Press (AP), the family explained that Pretti was deeply troubled by President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

The family further noted that while Pretti owned a firearm and held a Minnesota carry permit, they had never seen him actually carry the weapon. They maintained that video footage shows Pretti was not holding a gun when he was tackled to the ground by ICE agents.

The Department of Homeland Security defends the killing

Trump administration officials continued to claim that Pretti had threatened agents with a firearm, despite video footage that appears to refute these assertions.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Pretti was present “to perpetuate violence” and alleged he approached federal agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.

Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino told CNN, “the victims are the Border Patrol agents who were there.” On Saturday, he claimed his officers had prevented a “massacre.”

Footage of the incident shows Pretti holding a cell phone but not brandishing a weapon. Videos captured from various angles show Pretti attempting to assist another protester who had been pepper-sprayed before being tackled by agents and shot several times at close range. One video appears to show a federal agent disarming Pretti and subsequently firing multiple shots at him.

Trump blames Democratic officials for “chaos”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz spoke to the press the day after Alex Pretti’s death. “What is your plan, Donald Trump? What is your plan?” Walz asked. “What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state? If what you want from us is fear, violence, and chaos, then you have clearly underestimated the people of this state and this nation. We are tired, but we are determined. We are peaceful, but we will never forget. We are angry, but we will not lose hope. And above all, we are clearly united.”

Walz argued that Trump’s intention was to “make an example of Minnesota,” but suggested the strategy had backfired.

“We believe in law and order in this state. We believe in peace, and we believe Donald Trump must withdraw these 3,000 untrained agents from Minnesota before they kill someone else. We are telling the story of another Minnesotan who was simply trying to live their life without interference. To the Americans watching this right now—perhaps with curiosity, wonder, horror, disdain, or sympathy—I have one question for you: Which side do you want to be on?”

In a Wall Street Journal interview published Sunday, Trump said his administration was “looking at everything” regarding the shooting. “We’re looking at everything and we’ll make a decision,” Trump said. The President added that immigration officers would be withdrawn from Minneapolis “at some point.”

Early Sunday night, Trump posted a series of social media messages deepening his accusations that local Democratic officials were responsible for the chaos:

“Democrat-run Sanctuary Cities and States REFUSE to cooperate with ICE and actually encourage left-wing agitators to illegally obstruct operations to arrest the worst people!”

He called on Minnesota authorities to hand over all undocumented immigrants and urged Congress to outlaw local statutes designed to protect them from federal deportation procedures.

Thousands take to the streets

The killing of a second US citizen within a month during immigration raids in Minneapolis has sparked furious protests.

Thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets despite freezing temperatures following Pretti’s shooting. On Saturday night, hundreds gathered near the site of the shooting to light candles and chant his name in tribute.

Protests spread to other US cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and San Francisco, with demonstrators carrying signs reading “Justice for Alex” and “Abolish ICE.”

In Chicago, thousands of protesters filled Congress Plaza. As snow covered their heads, shoulders, and eyelashes, they chanted slogans in support of immigrants and refugees, demanding the abolition of ICE.

Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, told the crowd, “Yesterday I asked, ‘When is enough, enough?’ Because at every step, our people have said enough is enough.”

At Sunday’s rally and march, several local leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Representative Delia Ramirez, and State Senator Karina Villa, joined the call to abolish ICE.

“We saw them shoot a VA nurse, lie about it, and try to tell us we didn’t see what we saw with our own eyes,” Stratton said. “We must start by abolishing ICE. We must prosecute them for the crimes they have committed. And to all the senators who will vote on DHS funding this week: We are watching you.”

Growing unease among Republicans

Republicans also appear to be growing uneasy with the chaos in Minneapolis. Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Kevin Stitt told CNN’s “Face the Nation,” “The deaths of Americans, what we are seeing on television, is causing deep concern regarding federal tactics and accountability. Americans do not like what they are seeing right now.”

When asked if federal immigration agents should be withdrawn from Minnesota, Stitt, who chairs the Republican Governors Association, said, “I think that’s a question the president needs to answer… and right now he’s getting bad advice.”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy described the events in Minneapolis as “incredibly disturbing,” adding that the credibility of the DHS and ICE, which are at the forefront of the raids, is now at stake.

North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis called for a “comprehensive and impartial investigation” into the incident.

Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said the event “should raise serious questions within the administration regarding the adequacy of immigration enforcement training and the instructions given to officers.”

Democrats threaten government shutdown

Pretti’s death drew condemnations from former Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Obama characterized the shooting as “a warning to all Americans, regardless of party, that our fundamental values as a nation are increasingly under attack.”

On Sunday, Senate Democrats threatened to block a critical government funding package if it includes funding for the DHS, raising the possibility of a federal government shutdown next week—just months after the longest official shutdown in Washington’s history.

“As all Americans can see with their own eyes, ICE and those under its command are not acting like responsible law enforcement officers. They are recklessly inciting violence at the whim of the President,” said Senator Elissa Slotkin, a “moderate” Democrat from Michigan.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said his party would vote against the legislation funding the DHS, which oversees ICE.

Congress must fund the government by January 30 or risk a partial shutdown.

Schumer stated on Sunday that Republicans should “join Democrats in restructuring ICE and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] to protect the public.”

Moderate Democrats, who had broken with their party during last year’s shutdown to avoid appearing anti-law enforcement, joined this call.

Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said of the ICE operation, “This is clearly not about ensuring the safety of Americans; it is about the brutal treatment of US citizens and law-abiding immigrants.”

Business community intervenes: CEOs call for “de-escalation”

The fallout has reached the business world, with more than 60 senior executives from Minnesota-based companies urging lawmakers to take steps to de-escalate the situation.

Executives from 3M, Best Buy, General Mills, Target, UnitedHealth, and numerous other major corporations wrote: “Following yesterday’s tragic news, we demand an immediate reduction in tension and that state, local, and federal officials work together to find real solutions.”

The letter continued, “In this difficult time for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state, and federal leaders to achieve a swift and lasting resolution that will allow Minnesota families, businesses, employees, and communities to continue our work toward building a bright and prosperous future.”

Signatories included 3M CEO William Brown, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening, Target’s new CEO Michael Fiddelke, and UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Helmsley.

Meanwhile, the state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) filed a lawsuit this month asking a federal judge to halt the immigration operations, citing devastating economic impacts. The lawsuit noted that some businesses have seen sales drops of up to 80%.