Federal authorities said a Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex J. Pretti on Saturday, after he allegedly confronted officers during a Department of Homeland Security operation in south Minneapolis.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) identified Pretti, a U.S. citizen and Minneapolis resident, as one of its members.
At a news conference, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers were conducting an operation early Saturday targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history including domestic assault to intentional conflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license.
During the operation, Pretti allegedly approached Border Patrol agents while armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, Bovino said.
“The agents attempted to disarm the individual, but he violently resisted, fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a Border Patrol agent fired defensive shots, Bovino said. “Medics on the scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject, but the subject was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The officer involved in the shooting, according to Bovino, was “highly trained” and had been serving as a Border Patrol agent for eight years.
The Border Patrol chief called on state and local law enforcement to “help us coordinate to get violent criminals off the street.”
Bovino slammed Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara for omitting the fact that Pretti was armed when they held their news conference earlier on Saturday.
President Donald Trump responded to the shooting incident in a post to Truth Social.
“This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about?” he wrote in part. “Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves — Not an easy thing to do!”
DHS told Fox News shortly after the incident that the suspect was armed with a gun and two magazines.
“At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun,” DHS said in a statement. DHS said that the officers attempted to disarm the suspect, who then “violently resisted.”
“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene,” DHS said. “The suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID—this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”
NEW: NYC Mayor Mamdani issues statement following the fatal shooting in Minneapolis
“Abolish ICE.”
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One Response
His legally registered and carried gun remained holstered at all times. He was not harming the ICE officers in any way. He was shot while already restrained on the ground.
Not only did he not commit a crime, according to Bovino he was killed BECAUSE he was exercising his legal, constitutional right. This is madness.