The man, Alex Pretti, was killed more than 1,500 miles away. Yet, the impact was felt less than 12 hours later in Tampa. <\/p>\n
TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Just hours after a man was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday morning in Minneapolis,<\/a> Tampa organizers planned an emergency demonstration that drew hundreds to downtown, showing solidarity and expressing outrage.<\/p>\n The man, Alex Pretti<\/a>, was killed more than 1,500 miles away. Yet, the impact was felt less than 12 hours later in Tampa.\u00a0<\/p>\n About 200 protesters gathered outside Tampa City Hall. Demonstrators said they were responding to video of the 37-year-old ICU nurse\u2019s death. Many said they’re noticing a growing pattern of violence involving ICE and federal agents.<\/p>\n \u201cI was horrified, disgusted, outraged of course,\u201d said Joe Nohava, one of the organizers with Tampa Immigrants Rights Committee, after seeing the cell phone footage from the shooting scene.<\/p>\n The demonstration comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to defend the actions of its officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Minnesota leaders following the shooting, placing blame on state and local officials.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the protocol we will always follow. Who would trust Gov. [Tim] Walz at this point? The man has stood up and encouraged resistance. He has refused to partner with us. He\u2019s sacrificed his citizens\u2019 safety and their well-being by choosing the side of people who break the law, steal money and perpetuate violence,\u201d Noem said during a press conference Saturday.<\/p>\n Noem said Saturday\u2019s shooting did not have to happen.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re praying for this deceased loved one’s family and friends, but we also recognize that the Minnesota governor and Minneapolis mayor need to take a long hard look in the mirror. They need to evaluate their rhetoric, their conversations and their encouragement of such violence against our citizens and our law enforcement officers,\u201d Noem said.<\/p>\n