Videos quickly emerged Saturday showing the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a Border Patrol agent, with Democratic leaders in Minnesota saying the footage showed the deadly encounter was the result of untrained federal officers overreacting. The Trump administration claimed the man provoked the violence.
This incident marks the second fatal shooting this month by federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis. The Trump administration stated shots were fired defensively against Pretti, who they allege was violently resisting arrest.
According to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, the footage reveals “more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents, shooting him to death.” He has condemned federal operations in the area as an invasion.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretii attacked officers during a federal operations targeting individuals illegally residing in the U.S. The shooting incident incited a significant response from both local protests and political comments regarding law enforcement tactics.
Video recordings depict protesters attempting to disrupt operations, with Pretti among them at the time of the confrontation. The chaotic scene unfolded as officers, equipped with tactical gear, faced off against demonstrators, culminating in the use of pepper spray and physical altercations.
As the scuffle escalated, witnesses reported conflicting accounts leading up to the shooting, with videos showing officers hovering over Pretti before the gunfire erupted. The use of force employed by federal agents has sparked calls for accountability and inquiries into the pattern of escalating violence associated with federal law enforcement operations.
Governor Walz expressed his dismay regarding the official narrative surrounding the incident, labeling it “sickening” based on the visual evidence available. President Trump further exacerbated tensions by denouncing local authorities for their handling of the situation.
