A U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot an American citizen in Minneapolis on Saturday morning during a federal law enforcement operation, triggering protests and renewed scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics in the city.
The victim was identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and ICU nurse who worked at the Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Authorities confirmed Pretti was a U.S. citizen and legally permitted to carry a firearm under Minnesota law.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 a.m. near Nicollet Avenue South and 26th Street. Federal officials said Border Patrol agents were conducting an operation in the area when they encountered Pretti. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents claimed Pretti approached them while armed and refused commands, leading one agent to open fire.
Pretti was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Minneapolis police confirmed that Pretti had no serious criminal record, with only minor traffic violations on file. Officials also acknowledged that Pretti was not the target of the federal operation.
Video from the scene circulated online following the shooting, prompting questions about how the encounter unfolded and whether Pretti posed an immediate threat at the time force was used. Authorities have not released body camera footage or further details.
The incident sparked immediate protests near the shooting site, with demonstrators demanding accountability and transparency. Law enforcement agencies deployed crowd control measures as tensions escalated, and nearby streets were shut down for several hours.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) condemned the shooting and called for a full investigation, criticizing the federal presence and demanding answers about the rules of engagement used by immigration and border agents operating inside the city, per the Daily Mail.
Federal officials defended the agents involved, stating that the shooting is under investigation and that officers acted in what they described as self-defense.
The FBI and state investigators are now reviewing the case. No charges have been announced, and the agent involved has not been publicly identified.
The shooting marks the latest high-profile use-of-force incident involving federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis and is expected to intensify debate over federal law enforcement operations within U.S. cities.
