Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have been placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The incident, which occurred during a physical struggle between Pretti and federal officers, has sparked nationwide outrage, protests in Minnesota, and calls from lawmakers across party lines to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House immigration adviser Stephen Miller.
According to a preliminary Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report sent to Congress, two officers fired their weapons during the altercation. Initial accounts from the Trump administration suggested Pretti had brandished a firearm; however, video footage analyzed by BBC Verify shows no gun in his hands at the time of the shooting. This discrepancy has intensified public scrutiny and legal debates surrounding the incident.
The killing comes amid DHS’s Operation Metro Surge, an effort launched on 1 December to crack down on illegal immigration in Minneapolis. The operation has already led to the arrest of more than 3,000 individuals, including violent offenders and gang members. While President Trump has said he intends to “de-escalate” tensions in the city, he has clashed with Mayor Jacob Frey, who reaffirmed that Minneapolis will maintain its sanctuary policies and will not enforce federal immigration laws.
The situation has drawn high-level attention: Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of 16 individuals accused of assaulting federal law enforcement officers during protests, while Representative Ilhan Omar condemned rising threats against herself, attributing them to inflammatory rhetoric from the President.
In response to the shooting and ongoing federal operations, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are now considering measures ranging from the removal of DHS officials to cutting funding for the department in upcoming budget legislation. Meanwhile, a federal judge ordered the release of all refugees detained by immigration agents in Minnesota who are awaiting permanent residency, citing their lawful presence and individual liberties.
The case of Alex Pretti has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, law enforcement accountability, and the role of federal authorities in local jurisdictions. With protests continuing and investigations ongoing, Minneapolis remains a focal point of tension and national attention.
Sources: BBC News
