Minneapolis Mayor Urges Trump to Withdraw Federal Agents Following Fatal Border Patrol Shooting
A Border Patrol agent shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, an incident that has ignited widespread protests and condemnation from state and local officials. The victim, identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, was pronounced dead with multiple gunshot wounds.
Mayor's Plea for Peace and Leadership
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made a direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to remove federal agents from the city. "This is a moment to act like a leader, put Minneapolis, put America first in this moment, let’s achieve peace," Frey said in a public statement. The mayor described watching a video showing "more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents and shooting him to death."
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
Federal officials provided a different version of events. Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol commander-at-large, stated that Pretti approached officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and "violently resisted" attempts to disarm him. "Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots," Bovino explained in a formal statement. However, neither Bovino nor other federal officials confirmed that Pretti brandished the weapon.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that Pretti had no criminal record beyond traffic tickets and possessed a permit to carry a weapon. O’Hara also emphasized that there was no way to corroborate the federal authorities' account, stating, "We do not know what happened prior to the recording that is online right now."
Political Fallout and Escalating Tensions
The shooting has intensified political divisions. President Trump quickly backed the federal officials, accusing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Frey of "inciting Insurrection" with their rhetoric. In contrast, Governor Walz dismissed the federal accounts as "nonsense and lies," adding, "Thank God we have video."
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed without evidence that Pretti had impeded Border Patrol work and was a "domestic terrorist." This assertion drew criticism from Minnesota congressional representatives, who complained about Noem's "predetermined narrative" and suggested their support for a DHS funding bill was waning.
Community Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The incident has spurred growing outrage and unrest in Minneapolis, with protests erupting and a makeshift memorial established for Pretti. Representative Kelly Morrison, a Minnesota Democrat, expressed frustration, saying, "We are, once again, now being asked to deny what we saw with our own eyes. We watched the videos of the masked federal agent shooting Alex in the back multiple times while he was pinned down by more than six other masked federal agents."
Federal agents involved in the shooting have been moved out of Minneapolis and are likely on administrative duty, according to Bovino. The Justice Department has also intervened, with Attorney General Pam Bondi stating on Fox News that Governor Walz received a letter warning him to support President Trump and law enforcement.
As tensions remain high, the fatal shooting continues to fuel debates over federal agent presence, law enforcement accountability, and community safety in Minneapolis.
