By V3Edge Blog Media
The killing of a US citizen by federal immigration agents on Saturday — the second in Minneapolis this month — has triggered fresh protests and urgent demands from local leaders for the Trump administration to end its immigration operation in the city.
Federal agents shot dead **Alex J. Pretti**, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot **Renee Good**, also 37, in her car.
The Trump administration quickly claimed — as it did after Good’s death — that Pretti had intended to harm the federal agents, even as widely circulated video of the incident appeared to contradict their narrative.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pointed to a pistol and ammunition discovered on Pretti.
“He was there to perpetuate violence,” Homeland Security Secretary **Kristi Noem** told a briefing, while White House deputy chief of staff **Stephen Miller** referred to Pretti as an “assassin” in a post amplified on X by Vice President **JD Vance**.
However, cell phone footage aired by US media (which AFP has not independently verified) shows Pretti filming agents in the snow-lined street and directing traffic.
After an agent shoves a woman protester to the ground on the sidewalk, Pretti steps in between them and is sprayed in the face with a chemical irritant.
The agent then pulls Pretti to the ground, and several officers struggle to detain him on the icy roadway.
Seconds later, as an officer apparently discovers and pulls a gun from Pretti’s pants, agents open fire, also shooting his motionless body several times from a distance.
Pretti’s parents, in a statement circulated by US media, called him a “kindhearted soul” and accused the Trump administration of telling “sickening lies” about their son.
Minnesota Governor **Tim Walz** called the shooting “horrific” and demanded state authorities lead the investigation.
“The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation. The state will handle it, period,” Walz told a news conference.
Federal authorities controversially blocked local investigators from jointly probing Good’s death.
One Senate Republican on Saturday called for a joint investigation into the shooting.
“The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake,” Senator **Bill Cassidy**, a Louisiana Republican, wrote on X.
“There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.”
**‘Insurrection’ rhetoric**
Republican President Donald Trump ratcheted up his war of words with Walz and Minneapolis Mayor **Jacob Frey**, accusing the Democratic leaders of “inciting insurrection” with their rhetoric.
Trump had previously threatened to send troops to Minnesota by invoking the Insurrection Act.
As the president presses a sweeping campaign to deport undocumented migrants, thousands of ICE agents have been deployed to the Democratic-led city.
Public outrage was also rekindled earlier this week by the detention of a five-year-old boy as federal agents sought to arrest his father.
Frey at a news conference urged Trump to end the federal immigration operation, which has sparked sometimes violent demonstrations.
“This is a moment to act like a leader. Put Minneapolis, put America first in this moment — let’s achieve peace. Let’s end this operation.”
Police Chief **Brian O’Hara** said an “incredibly volatile scene” erupted after the shooting as protesters arrived, with local officials unable to secure the scene for investigation.
O’Hara told a later briefing that Minnesota National Guard troops would help secure a vehicle exclusion zone set up around the site.
Local resident **Maria**, 56, told AFP the situation in the city was “escalating.”
“They’re attacking and terrorizing our communities right now.”
Hundreds of protesters gathered in a park in Minneapolis Saturday evening, despite bitterly cold temperatures in the northern US city.
The shooting comes a day after tens of thousands of people braved the cold to gather in downtown Minneapolis to voice opposition to the federal operation.
**2nd Amendment concerns**
O’Hara said police believed the victim did not have any serious criminal background and was a “lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.”
Some gun rights advocates — often staunch supporters of the president — have raised concerns after the Trump administration quickly linked Pretti’s legal gun possession to an intent to do mass harm.
The Gun Owners of America (GOA) condemned a statement by Bill Essayli, a federal prosecutor in California, who had said on X: “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.”
“The Second Amendment protects Americans’ right to bear arms while protesting — a right the federal government must not infringe upon,” GOA said in a statement.
Second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis this month — Alex Pretti killed amid scuffle, video fuels dispute over official narrative. Protests grow, calls for state-led probe intensify. Tensions high in the city. 🇺🇸⚡
#V3Edge #VDM #VeryDarkMan #MinneapolisShooting #AlexPretti #ICE #FederalAgents #NaijaNews #USPolitics #NaijaGist #SecondAmendment #ImmigrationEnforcement
