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The family of a man shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis Saturday has denounced the “sickening lies” of the Trump administration as state and federal officials remain divided about the investigation into his death.
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, became the second protestor in Minneapolis to be fatally shot in less than three weeks, after a federal agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, 37, earlier this month.
Federal officials accused Pretti of attempting to assassinate officers with a pistol, though publicly available video does not show Pretti pointing or drawing any weapon and threatening officers.
His family slammed the Trump administration’s response to the shooting, writing in a statement, “The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting.
“Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.”
State officials said that federal agents had obstructed their access as they sought to investigate the crime scene. Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a “lawful gun owner” with a permit.
Governor Tim Walz has said that the state must be allowed to have control over the investigation into his death.
“Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word on this.”
Federal agents kill man in Minneapolis: Key pointsThe people who have died during Trump’s immigration crackdown
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 13:00
In pictures: Candlelit vigil held for Alex Pretti
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 12:30
Watch: Unrest in Minneapolis after another shooting by federal officersUnrest in Minneapolis after another shooting by federal officers
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 12:00
Ilhan Omar calls latest shooting ‘execution by immigration enforcement’
Minnesota Rep Ilhan Omar has condemned the shooting of a Minneapolis resident as an “execution by immigration enforcement.”
“This appears to be an execution by immigration enforcement. I am absolutely heartbroken, horrified, and appalled that federal agents murdered another member of our community. It is beyond shameful these federal agents are targeting our residents instead of protecting them. This isn’t isolated or accidental.
“The Trump administration is trying to beat us into submission rather than protect us. This administration cannot continue violating constitutional rights under the guise of immigration enforcement. ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota immediately.
“Their presence is terrorizing our communities, violating rights, and taking lives with zero accountability. Minnesota was once a place of refuge, and Trump has turned it into a war zone where unchecked federal forces murder our neighbors.”
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 11:40
Unrest in Minneapolis after ICU nurse is shot and killed
Unrest in Minneapolis after ICU nurse is shot and killed
Democrats demanded that federal immigration officers leave Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis, drawing hundreds of protesters onto the frigid streets and increasing tensions in a city already shaken by another shooting death weeks earlier.
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 11:20
Pictured: A federal agent lobs a teargas canister towards protesters in Minneapolis
(AFP via Getty Images)
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 11:00
National Rifle Association condemns ‘dangerous’ comments by Trump prosecutor
The National Rifle Association has condemned comments from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, supporting federal agents after an anti-ICE protester was shot in Minneapolis.
Alex Pretti, a licensed gun holder, was shot dead and accused by federal officials of attempting to assassinate officers with a pistol.
Essayli said: “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don’t do it!”
Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a “lawful gun owner” with a permit.
The NRA has said: “This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 10:44
Analysis: How an anti-ICE protester came to be shot dead by federal agents
Senior US reporter Alex Woodward looks at just how Alex Pretti came to be shot dead by federal agents amid anti-ICE protests.
How an anti-ICE protester came to be shot dead by federal agents
The White House has claimed without providing evidence that Alex Pretti was a ‘would-be assassin’ who was trying to murder federal agents, while Democratic leaders in Minnesota have called for calm in the wake of the latest fatal shooting of a protester
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 10:28
Philadelphia governor takes hard line against ICE presence as DHS ‘to ramp up operations’
Philadelphia governor Josh Shapiro has made it clear that the state will not support ICE after reports suggested the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would ramp up operations in the city.
In a statement to NBC10, Shapiro’s spokesperson Will Simon, said: “Outside agencies do not have unfettered access to state databases. As it has for years, PSP may share information with federal, local, and other state law enforcement agencies when necessary during the course of a criminal investigation.”
Already, a number of anti-ICE protests have taken place in the Pennsylvania city.
(AP)
“There are legitimate investigations that involve foreign nationals who have committed crimes in PA or elsewhere that would require immigration enforcement agencies to seek access to information contained in Commonwealth-run databases.”
They added Shapiro’s administration doesn’t allow the State Police to conduct immigration enforcement, serve immigration warrants from the federal government, or lease facilities to ICE or the DHS.
“Governor Shapiro has made clear that everyone is welcome in Pennsylvania, no matter who you are, what you look like, who you love, or who you pray to,” Simon said. “He will continue to stand with Pennsylvania’s immigrant communities.”
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 10:12
Why are there protests in Minnesota?
Minnesotans have been out in protest over a surge in ICE presence in the state.
Thousands of citizens marched on Minnesota’s largest city, Minneapolis, with others participating in an economic blackout on Friday to protest against what governor Tim Walz has called a “federal occupation” of the state.
Three weeks ago, tensions came to a head between the Department of Homeland Security and Minnesotans when US citizen Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed by a federal agent.
Federal agents have been involved in three other shootings this month during immigration actions. The day after Good’s death, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan man and woman in Portland, Oregon, after what DHS called a targeted vehicle stop.
On January 15, an ICE agent shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg in Minneapolis after DHS said he fled authorities.
DHS said at the time that Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, and two other men hit an officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, prompting the shooting. Court documents unsealed this week told a different story.
An FBI affidavit said the ICE officers had scanned a license plate registered with a different person suspected of an immigration violation, leading them to chase the wrong person before the alleged assault and shooting.
Bryony Gooch25 January 2026 10:00