Deadly Shooting of Minneapolis Protester Sparks Outrage and Political Fallout

Mon Feb 02 2026 18:53:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a Border Patrol agent during a confrontation has ignited fierce debate over federal law enforcement tactics and the administration's immigration policies.

A Minneapolis protester, Alex Pretti, was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent during a confrontation on Saturday. The incident is the second fatal shooting by federal immigration authorities in the city this month. Local leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey, have criticized the lack of training among federal officers, while the Trump administration has blamed the deceased for the violence. As tensions rise and protests continue, the situation raises critical questions about immigration enforcement and public safety.

On Saturday, videos surfaced showing the fatal shooting of a protester, Alex Pretti, by a Border Patrol agent. Political leaders in Minnesota have argued the incident highlights the dangers of untrained federal officers overreacting during operations, while the Trump administration has claimed that Pretti provoked the violence.

This tragic event marks the second time this month that federal immigration authorities have been involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, raising alarms over immigration enforcement practices. In a previous incident on January 7, another person, Renee Good, was also shot, igniting similar political discord.

During Saturday’s confrontation, which transpired around 9 a.m., the Border Patrol agent shot and killed Pretti after a brief scuffle. Federal authorities allege that Pretti resisted arrest and was armed with a semiautomatic handgun, making the use of deadly force a defensive measure.

Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his outrage after witnessing video footage of the incident, describing it as an “invasion” of Minneapolis and St. Paul by federal agents. He noted that the conduct was unacceptable and called for strict scrutiny over the federal immigration crackdown known as Operation Metro Surge.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Pretti of attacking law enforcement, while Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino stated that Pretti intended to harm officers. This rhetoric has drawn criticism from local leaders, who contend that labeling the deceased as an aggressor distracts from the real issues surrounding the militarization of federal immigration enforcement.

Following the shooting, protests erupted across the city, with demonstrators voicing their anger over police violence and federal overreach. The tensions reached a boiling point as federal officers deployed pepper spray to disperse protesters, further escalating the conflict.

Pretti, who was reported to be in the street during the confrontation, was seen in videos attempting to communicate with officers before the incident turned deadly. Witnesses documented the chaotic scene, with claims that officers acted with excessive force as they attempted to subdue him.

In response to the incident, Governor Tim Walz expressed his dismay at the portrayal of Pretti’s actions, terming the videos of the shooting as “sickening.” He condemned the federal response and called for greater accountability in law enforcement practices. Meanwhile, President Trump weighed in on social media, questioning the local police's involvement and criticizing their response.

The aftermath of this shooting continues to reverberate, raising serious questions about immigration policies, public safety, and the relationship between federal and local law enforcement. Activists and community leaders are demanding substantial changes to ensure that such tragic events do not occur again.