Federal Immigration Agents Kill US Citizen in Minneapolis, Sparking Protests

The Chronify

January 25, 2026

U.S. federal immigration agents fatally shot a 37-year-old U.S. citizen during enforcement operations in Minneapolis on Saturday, triggering fierce protests and condemnation. Bystander video and local officials dispute the government’s account, deepening tensions over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis on Saturday during a U.S. Department of Homeland Security enforcement operation, officials said, sparking widespread protests and outrage.

Federal authorities characterised the incident as an attack, saying a U.S. Border Patrol agent fired in self-defense after Pretti allegedly approached with a handgun and “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him. However, bystander videos verified by Reuters and other outlets show Pretti holding a phone, not a weapon, as he appears to try to help other protesters who were pushed to the ground by agents. The footage shows agents pepper-spraying and wrestling him to the ground before several shots are fired.

Local leaders, including Tim Walz, strongly criticised the federal narrative and demanded accountability. Walz called the shooting “horrific” and said the state should lead the investigation, noting that federal agents blocked local efforts to probe the scene. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no serious criminal record.

Hundreds of protesters confronted armed and masked federal agents in the neighbourhood where the shooting occurred, with law enforcement deploying tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds. Demonstrations also spread to cities including New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.

The incident comes weeks after another fatal federal shooting in Minneapolis - that of Renee Good on January 7 - which already ignited nationwide protests against the administration’s immigration enforcement surge. Hudson reports show that local officials and community members are calling for federal agents to withdraw and for a transparent, independent investigation into the latest and earlier shootings.