US Citizen Killed by Federal Agents in Minnesota During Immigration Operation

Melbourne, January 25: A US citizen has once again been killed by federal agents in Minnesota during a major immigration enforcement operation, reigniting controversy over the use of force by law enforcement authorities. The incident occurred as federal agents attempted to detain a suspect. It comes just weeks after Renee Good was shot dead by an ICE agent in the same state.

Videos circulating on social media show at least six agents surrounding a man wearing a brown jacket and black cap on Saturday morning. He was forced to the ground and struck multiple times. In one clip, an agent appears to hit him in the chest with a canister. Within seconds, at least ten gunshots can be heard. The man was later seen lying motionless on an icy road.

Minneapolis police said the victim was a 37-year-old local white citizen and a lawful gun owner. He was later identified by his family as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse working at the Veterans Administration.

An estimated 3,000 federal agents have been sent to the area by the Trump administration, with additional personnel expected, amid a major push to arrest undocumented immigrants.
Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Pretti’s father, Michael Pretti, said his son had been deeply upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and had joined protests out of concern for others. He said Alex, like many Americans, was disturbed by ICE operations in Minneapolis and across the United States. His parents had previously warned him to be cautious.

According to local media outlet Minnesota Star Tribune, Pretti lived in south Minneapolis and obtained his nursing licence in 2021. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti had no serious criminal record, with only minor infractions such as parking tickets.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed its officers acted in self-defence. The agency said it was conducting a targeted operation to detain an undocumented immigrant wanted in connection with a violent assault case. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the victim approached Border Patrol officers while armed with a handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire defensive shots.

DHS further stated that Pretti was carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, two magazines, and no identification. The department released a photograph of the alleged weapon. However, video footage appears to show that the firearm was initially in Pretti’s waist belt before being removed by an agent. It remains unclear whether he pointed the weapon at officers.

Federal officials said the Border Patrol officer involved in the shooting had eight years of experience. Minnesota law allows open carrying of firearms with a permit.

At the time of the incident, agents were attempting to detain an Ecuadorian national, Jose Huerta-Chuma, who has a history of domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a licence.

The incident has sparked renewed debate in the United States over immigration policy, law enforcement conduct, and civil rights.