US citizen killed during immigration operation; video footage challenges official claims
Minneapolis, United States | Web Desk: Nationwide protests erupted after US federal immigration agents shot and killed a Minneapolis resident during an enforcement operation, intensifying tensions between federal authorities and local governments.
According to officials, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a US citizen and intensive care nurse, was killed after agents claimed he threatened officers during an immigration raid. The Department of Homeland Security stated the shooting was an act of self-defense.
However, verified video footage circulating online appears to contradict the official account. The videos show Pretti holding a mobile phone while attempting to assist a woman forced to the ground, moments before he was restrained and shot multiple times.
The incident sparked large-scale protests in Minneapolis, with demonstrators confronting armed federal agents. Law enforcement used tear gas and flashbang grenades as protests spread to New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, and other major US cities.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rejected the federal narrative, calling the footage “sickening” and announcing a state-led investigation. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey demanded an immediate halt to federal immigration operations, questioning how many more lives must be lost.
President Donald Trump accused local leaders of inciting unrest, while Vice President JD Vance criticized city officials for failing to support federal agents.
The killing marks the second US citizen fatally shot by immigration agents this month, following the January 7 death of Renee Good, further fueling public outrage and calls for accountability.
