Minneapolis police said on Saturday that the man killed during a federal law enforcement operation in the city was a 37-year-old resident of Minneapolis and a citizen of the United States. Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred during an operation led by federal agencies, prompting immediate public concern and scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the Minneapolis police chief, investigators believe the man was a lawful gun owner who possessed a valid permit to carry a firearm. The chief also stated that multiple officers were involved in the shooting. However, he noted that local police have not yet received a detailed account from federal authorities explaining precisely how the encounter escalated to the use of lethal force.
The victim was identified by his family as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse. Family members said Pretti had been actively involved in protests against the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and was known for expressing strong views on federal immigration enforcement in the city.
The police chief said the department has been in ongoing communication with the Department of Homeland Security following the incident. Despite this, he said federal officials have not yet shared specific operational details, including the sequence of events that led officers to open fire.
In contrast, Homeland Security officials asserted that Pretti was carrying a handgun along with two magazines at the time of the encounter. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that federal officers were carrying out an operation when the man approached them armed and allegedly resisted violently as they attempted to disarm him. She said officers responded by firing what she described as “defensive shots.”
Video footage circulating widely on social media and broadcast by cable news networks has added to the controversy. The clips show several individuals wearing masks and tactical gear grappling with a man on a snow-covered street. Moments later, gunshots can be heard, after which the man collapses to the ground and additional shots ring out.
The incident drew strong reactions from state and national political leaders. Tim Walz demanded an immediate halt to federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. In a post on X, he said he had spoken with the White House following what he described as another horrific shooting by federal agents, calling the situation sickening and urging the president to pull federal officers out of the state.
Democratic US Senator Tina Smith described the shooting as “catastrophic,” reflecting the growing outrage among Democratic leaders over the expanding federal enforcement actions and their consequences.
Minneapolis city officials urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue. Authorities warned people to stay away from the immediate area, as tensions escalated at the scene. Video from the vicinity showed federal immigration agents deploying tear gas to disperse a growing crowd of onlookers, underscoring the volatility of the situation as multiple agencies work to determine what happened.
