Federal agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretty on a snowy street in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. The 37-year-old registered nurse became the second person killed by immigration officials in three weeks.
Pretty died after being pushed to the ground by Border Patrol agents during what officials called an immigration enforcement operation. Video footage shows multiple masked agents in tactical gear pinning him down before shots rang out.
The licensed nurse did not have any serious criminal history other than the parking ticket. Preity received her nursing license in 2021 and has worked as a junior scientist at the University of Minnesota Medical School since 2012, state records show.
Tim Walz blasted federal authorities during a press conference Saturday. Minnesota’s governor called the shooting “disgusting” and called for an end to what he called the “federal occupation” of Minneapolis.
“Stop calling them law enforcement officers,” Walz said. “Our law enforcement officers do a great job. They want chaos.”
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino claimed Preti approached the agents with a gun “looking to do maximum damage.” But Walz denied that after viewing bystander footage.
“Thank God we have the video,” the governor said. “This is nonsense. This is nonsense and a lie.”
The Minnesota Star Tribune confirmed Pretty’s identity through a source familiar with the investigation. He lives in South Minneapolis and is a 2006 graduate of Green Bay Preble High School.
Open source analysts began examining video footage documenting the fatal encounter. Disturbing video shows agents beating Preeti before the shooting. One expert said the footage may show an officer disarming Pretty before other agents opened fire. The sequence of events remains under investigation.
The president posted photos of what he claimed was Preeti’s loaded pistol and two additional magazines.
“It is said that many police officers are not allowed to do their jobs and ICE must protect itself – not an easy task! Why does Ilhan Omar have $34 million in his account? Where are the tens of billions of dollars stolen from the once great state of Minnesota?” Trump wrote, referring to local police.
The president also cited a local fraud scandal, claiming billions of dollars were stolen from Minnesota. He linked immigration raids to financial crimes investigations.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretty was a licensed and legal gun owner. The chief said federal authorities had not provided local police with details about the incident.
The shooting occurred less than three weeks after ICE agent Jonathan Ross killed Renee Good on January 7. Good, also 37, was shot three times while unarmed outside a Minneapolis donut shop.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the scene of the shooting on Nicollet Avenue. As tensions escalated throughout the day, federal agents fired tear gas into the crowd. Mayor Jacob Frey asked Donald Trump to remove federal personnel from the city. “How many more Americans need to die?” Frey asked at a news conference.
Walz announced he was sending in National Guard troops and asked state investigators to lead the investigation into Pretty’s death.
Federal authorities said they would conduct their own investigation. Pretty’s death marks the third shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis this month. The escalating violence has sparked national attention and protests.
Thousands of Minnesotans participated in an economic strike Friday to protest ICE’s actions. About 100 clergy were arrested during the “Day of Truth and Freedom” demonstrations.
Businesses across the state are closed in solidarity with protesters demanding ICE leave Minnesota. The Minneapolis City Council approved general strike action.
