Federal immigration agents have shot three civilians in Minneapolis this month, killing two and injuring another, as an ongoing federal enforcement operation fuels widespread protests, court action, and a growing political confrontation between Minnesota officials and the Trump administration.
The latest shooting occurred on Saturday when 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was killed during an encounter with Border Patrol agents on Nicollet Avenue. The area, known for its busy pedestrian traffic and diverse businesses, had become a focal point for protests against federal immigration enforcement.
Video footage reviewed by major U.S. media outlets shows federal agents confronting demonstrators during the incident. Pretti had been recording the arrest of another protester when agents moved in. Authorities later said an agent recovered what appeared to be a firearm from Pretti, though multiple videos and eyewitnesses show him holding a phone and raising his hands. He was not seen actively using a weapon in the footage.
The Department of Homeland Security said Pretti approached agents while armed and resisted attempts to disarm him, with senior Border Patrol officials alleging he posed a serious threat to law enforcement. That account has been disputed by witnesses and medical professionals who were present at the scene.
A Minneapolis paediatrician who witnessed the shooting said in a sworn court statement that agents did not immediately provide medical assistance after Pretti was shot. The doctor reported attempting resuscitation after finding no pulse before emergency responders arrived.
Minnesota officials moved swiftly to preserve evidence. On Saturday night, U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud issued a temporary restraining order preventing federal agencies from destroying, removing, or withholding evidence related to the shooting.
Governor Tim Walz strongly criticized the federal operation, accusing the Trump administration of spreading misinformation and comparing the deployment of federal agents to an occupation. He said Minnesota would lead its own investigation into the incident.
Pretti’s death marks the third shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis within a month. Earlier this month, ICE agents shot and killed Renée Good, a mother of three, during a traffic stop. Days later, another ICE operation left a Venezuelan man injured by gunfire. Federal officials said he attacked agents with household tools, a claim that protesters and local leaders have questioned.
Saturday’s shooting triggered large demonstrations in Minneapolis and other major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. Protesters called for an end to ICE operations and demanded accountability.
In Minneapolis, authorities deployed tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse crowds near the shooting site, and the Minnesota National Guard was mobilized to assist with security.
The city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota have jointly filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the federal immigration crackdown, arguing that the operation violates constitutional rights. Mayor Jacob Frey said footage showed masked agents beating and fatally shooting a resident, asking how many more people would be harmed before the operation ends.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended federal enforcement efforts in a social media post, urging people to comply with immigration laws and accusing Minnesota’s leadership of inflaming tensions.
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