Tragic Shooting in Minneapolis Sparks Nationwide Protests Against Immigration Enforcement

Sat Jan 31 2026 20:50:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after a Border Patrol agent fatally shoots a man, igniting protests and demands for federal immigration officers to leave the state.

The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, by a U.S. Border Patrol agent has led to widespread protests across the nation. Family members claim he was not armed during the incident, contradicting federal accounts that suggest otherwise. Demonstrations erupted in various cities, demanding an end to federal immigration operations. The Minnesota National Guard has deployed to assist local authorities amid escalating tensions. Political leaders are dividing along party lines, with calls for federal officials to exit Minnesota amidst the controversy.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The shooting of a man in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers has drawn hundreds of protesters into the streets, demanding the immediate withdrawal of U.S. Border Patrol agents from the city. The incident involved Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse known for his activism against prior immigration enforcement actions.

Following the shooting, which family members claim was unwarranted as Pretti was allegedly unarmed, unrest amplified in an already tense city recovering from recent violence. Protesters clashed with federal agents, despite freezing temperatures, leading to increased police presence and the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard.

Authorities have limited information regarding the lead-up to the shooting, with contrasting narratives emerging. While a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that federal officers acted in self-defense against a man who reportedly resisted arrest, witnesses and videos from the scene present a different account.

Witnesses reported seeing Pretti with his phone raised and not in possession of a weapon during the altercation. Video footage appears to show a struggle, leading to a series of shots fired while Pretti was surrounded by officers, leaving him injured on the ground.

The incident has reignited calls from local leaders for ICE and federal officers to cease operations in the city. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz commented on the lack of confidence in federal officials, vowing state-led investigations into the matter.

As the protests continue, many demonstrators express their outrage over perceived injustices perpetuated against immigrants and their families. Calls for justice have echoed across social media, drawing national attention, including responses from political leaders urging an end to what they describe as cruel immigration enforcement practices.

In the aftermath, the Pretti family expressed their grief and frustration, stating that their loved one was merely fighting for a better community and didn’t deserve to die at the hands of law enforcement.