SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Following another fatal shooting by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, local leadership has condemned recent Department of Homeland Security actions.
Intensive Care Unit Nurse Alex Pretti, 37, was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent only weeks after another shooting by a federal agent. A video recorded by bystanders shows at least seven officers surrounding Pretti, before multiple shots can be heard firing, according to the Associated Press.
The shooting comes one day after a series of nationwide solidarity protests with Minneapolis, including across San Diego County.
“The federal government claims its enforcement actions make us safer,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria shared on social media. “It doesn’t. It’s a reckless, lawless campaign terrorizing our cities and it has now cost another life. San Diego condemns it, and we will never accept this as normal.”
The City of San Diego currently has a Due Process and Safety Ordinance that limits city participation with unauthorized federal operations. San Diego County leadership is also condemning recent federal actions.
“In San Diego County we will continue to stand up for all communities, work toward transparency and accountability in public safety, and do our part to strengthen our democracy and fight back against authoritarian forces threatening the right we hold dear,” County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe shared in a statement.
Kristi Noem, secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), center, speaks during a news conference at One World Trade Center in New York, US, on Jan. 8, 2026. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security alleges that Pretti was carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, which they state led to the shooting. However, multiple videos from bystanders reveal Pretti carrying a phone in his hand. At the time of publication, no video reveals a weapon, according to the Associated Press.
“The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated. “This violence is directly fueled by hateful rhetoric from Minnesota’s sanctuary politicians. It must end now.”
Despite the statement from DHS, elected officials are disputing these claims and calling for Noem’s resignation.
People protest against federal immigration enforcement in Encinitas
“The Trump regime’s execution of another American civilian today is sickening,” Councilmember Stephen Whitburn shared in a social media statement. “The images of masked U.S. agents pinning a man to the ground and repeatedly shooting him in the back are horrific. We must demand justice.”
The Justice Department is alleging Minnesota officials of escalating tensions between ongoing protests and ICE operations. In a social media post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, “Shame on the leadership of Minnesota — and the lunatics in the street,” and that, “ICE > MN.”
Congressional response
North County Congressman Mike Levin is calling for an independent criminal investigation that is not led by ICE or DHS. He believes official statements may contradict public evidence and may hurt public trust in local law enforcement.
“Federal agents must be held to the same standards of transparency, accountability, and respect for the public as the officers who serve our neighborhoods,” Levin shared on social media.
San Diego Democratic Representatives are urging other representatives not to support an upcoming funding bill for DHS.
The U.S. Capitol is seen shortly before sunset, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“Another killing by Trump’s ICE agents,” San Diego area Representative Juan Vargas stated. “This is absolutely sickening. Get ICE out of our communities now. Impeach Kristi Noem. No funding for Trump’s lawless ICE and DHS.”
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San Diego area Republican Congressman Darrell Issa could not be immediately reached for comment.
“They won’t stop murdering people until we make them,” Representative Sara Jacobs shared. “The Senate should block DHS funding this week — we need to stop this brutality and undeniable lawlessness.”
Democratic Representative Scott Peters, who introduced legislation to restrict excessive force used by ICE in November, believes that no one is safer by ICE’s operations in Minnesota.
“President Trump must end this operation and pull the thousands of untrained ICE officers out of Minnesota immediately,” Peters said in a social media post. “None of us are safer because of this.”
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