Federal agents fatally shoot man in confrontation in South Minneapolis
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Federal agents block off the scene of a shooting in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old man in South Minneapolis on Saturday morning, per state and local officials and witness video from the scene.
The big picture: The shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen, further inflamed tensions over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
- State and local leaders called on the Trump administration to pull the thousands of federal agents sent to the state in recent weeks.
- The president responded with a Truth Social post accusing the mayor and governor of "inciting Insurrection" with their rhetoric.
What we know: The shooting occurred at about 9am local time, as observers with whistles congregated at the scene of what Department of Homeland Security officials said was a targeted immigration enforcement operation.
- Videos from the scene appeared to show Pretti recording agents with a phone and attempting to help another observer as she was pushed to the ground by an agent.
- He was sprayed with chemical agents and wrestled to the ground by about half a dozen agents before multiple shots rang out.
DHS said Pretti was armed with a gun and that a Border Patrol agent opened fire as he resisted agents' attempts to disarm him.
- Videos circulating so far do not appear to show him reaching for or brandishing the firearm in question.
- Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said at a midday news conference that it appeared Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.
- The officer who shot the man was an 8-year Border Patrol veteran, according to federal officials, the Associated Press reported.
What they're saying: Gov. Tim Walz said he had spoken to the White House about what he called another "sickening" shooting.
- "The President must end this operation," he wrote. "Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now."
- Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem called Pretti's actions "domestic terrorism."
Friction point: Walz, who called DHS's account of the deadly encounter "lies" and "nonsense," said the state will conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
- But the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said its agents and crime scene personnel tried to access the location of the shooting, but were blocked by DHS officials.
- DHS also blocked the BCA from investigating the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good and a nonfatal shooting of a man on the city's north side.
The reaction: Local officials urged people to peacefully protest, as crowds of protesters clashed with law enforcement near the intersection where the shooting occurred.
- Walz deployed the National Guard at the request of local officials to help law enforcement maintain order throughout the afternoon and evening.
- Several local events, including an NBA game, were postponed amid fears of unrest.
- "We ask everyone to remain calm, and to please do not destroy our own city," O'Hara, the police chief, said at the midday news conference.
Zoom out: The slaying marked the third shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in less than a month.
- Federal agents' ongoing presence and conduct in the Twin Cities, including the fatal shooting of Good on Jan. 7, have sparked widespread protests.
- On Friday, thousands of people flooded the streets of Minneapolis to protest the immigration operation, despite below-zero temperatures.
- Hundreds of businesses across the Twin Cities closed for the day in solidarity.
- Federal officials have repeatedly defended both the operation and agents' conduct, arguing that observers and protesters are making their immigration enforcement efforts more difficult and dangerous.
Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.