Minneapolis has become the epicenter of intense protests and violent encounters following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen and local ICU nurse, by a Border Patrol agent on Saturday. The situation escalated rapidly, culminating in an incident where two rioters allegedly bit off part of a Homeland Security Investigations officer's finger.
"LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOBS," President Trump wrote, condemning the local leadership's approach to public safety and support for federal law enforcement.
The unrest began near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue after federal agents, in pursuit of a wanted individual, encountered Pretti. The Department of Homeland Security reported that Pretti was armed with a 9mm handgun and resisted agents' efforts to disarm him. This confrontation led to an agent firing shots, which DHS described as defensive, resulting in Pretti's death at the scene.
Compounding the tragedy, a video showing agents struggling with Pretti before the shooting has gone viral, sparking public outrage and raising questions about the necessity of the force used. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that Pretti was lawfully in possession of the firearm with a valid permit under Minnesota law.
In response to the incident, large crowds gathered, disrupting traffic and setting up barricades. Clashes between protesters and federal agents intensified, with the latter employing tear gas and pepper balls against the demonstrators. Military-style vehicles were deployed as the situation deteriorated further.
During these confrontations, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, stated an HSI officer suffered a ghastly injury after a rioter bit off a portion of his finger. The Daily Mail published photos depicting the injury and the severed piece of the finger.
President Donald Trump, commenting on the situation via Truth Social, expressed support for federal agents and criticized Minnesota's local leadership for their handling of the situation. He emphasized the importance of allowing ICE agents to perform their duties unimpeded.
This incident marks the third involvement of federal agents in shootings in Minneapolis in recent weeks. The FBI and state investigators are currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding Pretti's death. As of now, no charges have been filed, but the tension in Minneapolis persists, with ongoing protests and calls for further investigation into the federal agents' actions.
