MINNEAPOLIS, MN January 25, 2026 – A deadly shooting involving federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation has heightened tensions in the city, sparking widespread protests and calls for accountability. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2026, resulted in the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and lawful gun owner, who was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents. This marks at least the second fatal officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis tied to recent federal immigration actions under the Trump administration, following the earlier killing of Renee Good.
According to reports, Pretti approached federal agents amid ongoing operations targeting undocumented immigrants. Witnesses and bystander videos circulating on social media show agents wrestling Pretti to the ground before multiple shots were fired. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti possessed a valid permit to carry a firearm and had no significant criminal history, describing him as a U.S. citizen who appeared to be lawfully armed. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading the investigation, with officials stating the shooting was in self-defense after Pretti allegedly acted aggressively.
The shooting has ignited outrage, with protests erupting not only in Minneapolis but across the U.S., including in cities like Fresno and New York. Demonstrators have decried the federal crackdown as excessive, chanting for the defunding of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanding agents withdraw from the state. On X (formerly Twitter), users have shared videos and statements condemning the violence, with some alleging a pattern of aggressive tactics by federal forces. One post highlighted infiltration of local Signal groups aimed at tracking and obstructing federal agents, underscoring the organized resistance.
In a Fox News interview shared by ICE’s official X account, Sam Olson, the ICE St. Paul Field Office Director, described the environment in Minneapolis as unprecedented. “I’ve worked in Minnesota for the past 20 years… It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” Olson said, attributing the incident to “violent, anti-ICE agitators” and “vigilantes” surrounding officers on the street. He emphasized that no officer intends to use deadly force but that escalating confrontations have forced such actions.
Supporters of the administration, including South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, have defended the agents, labeling the protests as “acts of domestic terrorism” and urging continued enforcement. Gun rights groups have also weighed in, challenging the shooting and questioning whether Pretti’s Second Amendment rights were violated. Conversely, Democratic leaders like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Sen. Amy Klobuchar have called for ICE to cease operations in the city, securing a temporary restraining order against DHS. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused the administration of misleading the public, stating they are asking Americans “to not believe their eyes.”
The broader context involves intensified immigration raids under President Trump’s directives, amid a billion-dollar fraud investigation in Minnesota potentially linked to state officials. Protests have turned chaotic, with reports of a local TV reporter being pepper-sprayed while covering the events. Even unrelated entities, like the NBA Players Association, have issued statements condemning the violence.
Federal officials maintain that the operations are necessary for national security, while critics argue they exacerbate divisions and risk further unrest. As investigations continue, Minneapolis remains on edge, with calls from both sides for de-escalation. The incident has also raised concerns about a potential government shutdown at month’s end, as debates over immigration policy intensify in Congress.
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