A. Rahman
Two federal officers involved in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti have been placed on administrative leave, officials confirmed, as the city continues to react to the deadly incident and its political fallout.
Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, was shot and killed on Saturday during a confrontation with immigration agents in Minneapolis. His death has sparked protests and intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics in the city. Video reviewed by multiple outlets shows Pretti unarmed and holding what appears to be a phone when agents confronted him, though federal authorities initially described the situation differently.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the dispute between local and federal officials, warning Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey that he was “playing with fire” after Frey said the city would not enforce federal immigration laws. Trump’s remarks came amid broader tensions over the federal presence in the city.
Mayor Frey responded to the president’s post on social media by saying that the primary role of local police is public safety, not enforcing federal immigration policies. Frey emphasized that Minneapolis law enforcement should focus on crimes like homicide rather than immigration enforcement.
The political context has also included an unrelated but highly publicized incident this week involving Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who was attacked at a town hall event when a man sprayed an unknown substance in her direction with a syringe. Omar was not injured and continued speaking, later condemning the act while criticizing what she described as divisive political rhetoric.
The fallout from Pretti’s death has drawn criticism from local officials and some national lawmakers, increasing pressure on the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategies. Demonstrations and calls for independent investigations continue as Minneapolis and national leaders debate the future of federal operations in the city.
