Violent protests erupted in Minneapolis on Saturday after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot an American citizen, escalating into chaos that left a federal law enforcement officer permanently injured.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, two rioters allegedly bit off part of a Homeland Security Investigations officer’s finger during clashes with federal agents as protests intensified throughout the city.
The unrest followed the shooting death of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an American citizen, registered nurse, and Minneapolis resident, who was killed shortly after 9 a.m. near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital and had no serious criminal history.
Federal authorities said Border Patrol agents were in the area attempting to apprehend an illegal alien wanted for violent assault when Pretti approached them.
DHS claims Pretti was armed with a 9 millimeter handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire what officials described as defensive shots. Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene.
Video circulating online shows agents wrestling Pretti to the ground before shots were fired. The footage has fueled public outrage and questions over the use of force, particularly after Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit under Minnesota law.
Within hours of the shooting, large crowds flooded the area. Protesters blocked streets with dumpsters and restaurant furniture as federal agents responded with tear gas and pepper balls.
Military-style vehicles surrounded demonstrators as the situation spiraled.
During the clashes, DHS says rioters violently attacked federal officers. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, said an HSI officer will permanently lose part of his finger after it was bitten off during the confrontation.
“In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officer’s finger,” McLaughlin said. “He will lose his finger.”
Photos released by DHS show a portion of the officer’s right ring finger missing, along with another image appearing to show the severed piece placed in a medical container, per the Daily Mail.
The shooting of Pretti marks the third federal agent involved in a shooting in Minneapolis in recent weeks. Earlier this month, an ICE agent fatally shot a woman, Renee Good, followed by another incident in which an ICE agent wounded a man during an encounter officials also described as defensive.
President Donald Trump responded to the latest incident on Truth Social, defending federal agents and blasting local leadership.
“LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOBS,” Trump wrote, accusing Minnesota officials of failing to protect federal officers and allowing violent criminals to roam free.
Trump also pointed to the firearm recovered at the scene, noting it was loaded and accompanied by additional magazines. Federal officials later released a photo of the handgun they say was taken from Pretti.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said the agent who fired the shots has served with the Border Patrol for eight years and acted out of fear for his life and the lives of fellow officers.
Minnesota leaders have called for investigations as protests continue, while federal authorities maintain the shooting and subsequent use of force were justified.
The FBI and state investigators are reviewing the incident. No charges have been announced, and tensions in Minneapolis remain high as demonstrations continue into the night.
