‘Cowardly ICE thugs’: Alex Pretti's family outraged as Trump defends fatal Minneapolis shooting

Tensions escalated further in Minnesota over the weekend after President Donald Trump forcefully defended federal immigration officers involved in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The killing – captured on multiple bystander videos and widely circulated online – has intensified political division and prompted a grieving, furious response from Pretti’s family.

Pretti was shot by a Border Patrol agent during a chaotic confrontation on Saturday, becoming the second person fatally shot by federal immigration authorities in the city this month. The incident follows the earlier killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, placing the Twin Cities at the centre of a national debate over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Trump slams Minnesota leaders, defends federal agents

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, the 79-year-old president sharply criticised Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for what he characterised as a failure to support federal officers.

“This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves – Not an easy thing to do!” Trump wrote.

He continued: “LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB! 12,000 Illegal Alien Criminals, many of them violent, have been arrested and taken out of Minnesota. If they were still there, you would see something far worse than you are witnessing today!”

Trump also revived unfounded allegations of fraud in Minnesota while defending the federal operation and the still-unidentified Border Patrol agent.

Also read: Who killed Alex Pretti? Border Patrol Chief reveals details on accused agent in Minneapolis shooting

Private frustration revealed as White House questions Pretti’s magazines

CNN, citing multiple sources, reported that Trump has privately rallied behind the agent who fired the fatal shots. According to three individuals familiar with internal discussions, senior White House advisers have been preoccupied with the fact that Pretti was carrying two spare magazines.

The network reported that Trump has been frustrated behind the scenes, believing “his intended immigration messaging is getting lost amid the chaos in Minnesota”. One source told CNN that “Trump has sought to personally speak out on the matter in an attempt to shift the narrative.”

DHS defends ‘defensive shots’ as videos raise new questions

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) repeated its earlier justification, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin saying officers fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached and “violently resisted” when they tried to disarm him.

However, none of the publicly available bystander videos show Pretti holding a visible weapon during the confrontation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a licensed gun owner with a permit to carry.

Multiple video angles suggest an agent seized Pretti’s gun before the first shot was fired, meaning Pretti appeared to be unarmed at the moment he was shot. Despite this, senior figures within the Trump administration have continued to characterise him as a threat. DHS labelled him a “suspect” and Trump adviser Stephen Miller publicly referred to him as an “assassin”.

Family issues scathing statement after shooting

Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, released a statement to CNN expressing profound grief and anger over their son’s death and the way federal officials have portrayed him.

“We are heartbroken but also very angry. Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman,” they said.

They condemned the administration’s rhetoric, adding: “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.”

Their statement continued: “He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.”

Calls for accountability intensify

With protests growing across Minneapolis and state officials demanding federal withdrawal, the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti has further deepened mistrust between local leaders and the Trump administration. Investigations are ongoing, but the identities of the federal agents involved have not been made public. 

(With inputs from agencies)