Unrest continues in the city following the tragic incident.
The death of 37-year-old Alex Pretty, which occurred less than three weeks after the incident involving the shooting of a woman by an immigration officer in Minneapolis, has sparked numerous conflicting statements from officials and federal representatives. The BBC reported on the instability of information regarding the incident.
The events unfolded on Saturday morning when Pretty was killed during a confrontation with immigration officers on one of the city streets.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the shooting was a result of self-defense, as they claim Pretty, armed with a gun, resisted during an attempt to disarm him. However, witnesses, local authorities, and the victim's family assert that he was holding a phone, not a firearm.
Following the tragic incident, unrest erupted again in the city.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy expressed his concern, describing the events in Minneapolis as "incredibly alarming" and adding that trust in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security is "at risk." He called for a joint investigation at both the federal and state levels to ensure the truth for the American people.
In turn, President Donald Trump accused Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of "inciting a riot," previously threatening to invoke the "Insurrection Act," which allows for the deployment of military forces to perform law enforcement functions. Although Trump ultimately backed down from the threat, it remains unclear for how long.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance characterized the situation in Minneapolis as "artificially created chaos," adding that it is a "unique" situation for the city. He previously accused local leaders of obstructing cooperation between local law enforcement and federal ICE agents.
The shooting occurred at 9:05 AM local time near the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino reported that agents were conducting a "targeted" operation to enforce immigration laws when Pretty approached them with a "9mm semi-automatic" pistol. He claims that Pretty "resisted fiercely," after which a Border Patrol agent shot in self-defense.
Video recordings taken shortly before the shooting show Pretty filming the agents with his phone, while whistles and shouts from bystanders can be heard in the background.
The Department of Homeland Security posted on social media an image of a gun that they claim belonged to Pretty, along with information that he had two magazines with ammunition and no identification documents.
Regarding ICE's powers, it is important to note that they differ from those of local police. ICE agents have the authority to stop, detain, and arrest individuals suspected of being in the country illegally; however, they require a warrant to enter private premises.
Some cases allow for the detention of U.S. citizens if they interfere with an arrest or are suspected of being in the country illegally. The use of force is regulated by the Constitution and the internal rules of the Department of Homeland Security.
Alex Pretty was a well-known activist and supporter of the Democratic Party. His ex-wife reported that he was actively involved in protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.
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