By Izzy Canizares, Contributor
Less than a month after the fatal shooting of Renée Good, a Minneapolis resident was shot and killed by federal immigration officers early Saturday morning, sparking chaos in the city and prompting a forceful law enforcement response that included flash grenades and chemical irritants used against community members.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed during a news conference that Alex Jeffery Pretti, 37, was shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. O’Hara said Pretti had no serious criminal history and had worked as a nurse since 2021, most recently as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a social media post that Pretti was armed and that officers were attempting to disarm him when an agent fired what DHS described as “defensive shots.” The identity of the ICE agent involved has not been released. O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was legally licensed to carry a firearm.
“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots,” DHS said in a Facebook statement. “Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.”
However, videos of the encounter circulated widely online hours later, raising questions about DHS’s account. Multiple videos appear to show Pretti on the ground with officers on top of him before shots are fired, after which he remains motionless.
“I’m sick of this,” said a Minneapolis resident who only gave the first name Shawn, who witnessed part of the incident. “I’ve never felt unsafe in this city until ICE came here. This feels like an authoritarian government terrorizing people.”
Another video appears to show Pretti attempting to intervene as officers restrained another woman. Moments later, Pretti and another resident appear to be sprayed with chemical irritants before officers force him to the ground.
The shooting intensified anger in a community already grieving the recent killing of Renée Good. City and state leaders quickly called for independent investigations into Pretti’s death.
“This is not a partisan issue, this is an American issue,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press conference. “If the goal was peace and safety, this accomplished the exact opposite.”
Residents said fear quickly turned into outrage. “They shoot first and ask questions later,” said Chino, who lives nearby and did not want his full name used. “This affects everybody’s safety.”
By Saturday evening, more than 200 people had gathered in the Whittier neighborhood demanding accountability. Protesters were met by armored vehicles, law enforcement officers deploying flashbang grenades, and chemical irritants. Thick smoke filled several blocks, spreading into residential and commercial areas.
“We were peacefully protesting after they shot another one of our neighbors, and they attacked us with tear gas and concussion grenades,” said Bryan Ebert, speaking to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder shortly after the deployment. “Our city was safe before this.”
Law enforcement agencies blocked roads in as crowds continued to grow near the original scene. Videos recorded by residents show multiple types of chemical agents being deployed. Authorities have not publicly identified the specific agents used.
Rubber bullets and spent chemical canisters were later visible throughout the streets. Officials confirmed that the National Guard had been requested at the Whipple Federal Building and throughout the Whittier neighborhood.
“We are a city built on community,” said resident Janaya. “What’s happening right now is political, and people are standing together because they’re tired of being targeted.”
Ebert described the presence of federal agents as unaccountable and destabilizing. “We have no recourse when they commit violence in our neighborhoods,” he said. “But the people will survive. We always do.”
