The two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who discharged their firearms during the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave, according to official statements from the Department of Homeland Security. This development follows a preliminary report sent to Congress that confirmed the agents fired their weapons but did not substantiate claims that the victim was brandishing a gun.
National Outrage Over Second Fatal ICE Shooting in Minnesota
The death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who cared for US veterans, has ignited widespread public fury across the United States. This incident marks the second fatal shooting of a US citizen by ICE agents in Minnesota within a single month, coming just weeks after Renee Good was shot dead by federal agents less than a mile from where Pretti was killed.
Pretti had reportedly participated in protests following Good's death, adding context to the escalating tensions in the Minneapolis area. The preliminary Department of Homeland Security report acknowledged that two officers fired their weapons during what was described as a struggle, though it stopped short of confirming assertions from federal officials that Pretti was actively threatening agents with a firearm.
White House Response and Political Fallout
President Donald Trump has described the shooting as "very unfortunate" and expressed a desire to "de-escalate" the volatile situation in Minneapolis following discussions with local Democratic leadership. While distancing himself from more inflammatory rhetoric used by members of his administration, the president maintained that "you can't walk in with guns" and reiterated his belief that Pretti "shouldn't have been carrying a gun."
The initial response from senior White House officials, particularly from Trump adviser Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, provoked intense backlash from multiple quarters:
- Pretti's family issued a statement condemning "the sickening lies told about our son by the administration"
- Leading Democratic politicians expressed outrage over the incident
- Republican lawmakers increasingly voiced concerns about the handling of the situation
- Public demonstrations erupted in Minneapolis following the shooting
Administrative Actions and Ongoing Investigations
The two border control agents involved in the shooting have not been publicly identified as they face administrative leave pending further investigation. In what appears to be a potential shift in strategy, reports indicate that a controversial US border patrol commander known for aggressive enforcement tactics is being reassigned from the Minneapolis area amid the ongoing controversy.
Pretti's family remembered him as "a kind-hearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends," while vehemently disputing the administration's characterization of events surrounding his death. The case continues to develop as congressional oversight and internal investigations proceed into the circumstances of this fatal encounter between federal agents and a US citizen on American soil.
