Federal scrutiny intensified in Minneapolis on Saturday after Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti, marking the second deadly encounter involving federal immigration authorities in the city this month. The incident – recorded by multiple bystanders and rapidly circulated online – comes amid heightened anger over the earlier ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good. 

The Trump administration quickly defended the officers involved, labelling Pretti a “suspect”, while critics, including Minnesota’s governor and Minneapolis mayor, condemned the federal operation as an unnecessary and destabilising show of force.

Authorities have not yet released the name of the agent who opened fire, but Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino offered several details about his background as pressure builds for transparency.

Highly trained agent

Speaking at a press conference, Bovino described the officer who shot Pretti as “highly trained” and said he had served with the Border Patrol for eight years. He added that the agent had “extensive training as a Range Safety Officer”, responsible for ensuring safe conduct on gun ranges.

The Department of Homeland Security reiterated its defence of the shooting, stating: “The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Local officials later confirmed that Pretti legally owned the handgun discovered at the scene and had no significant criminal history aside from a few parking violations.

Videos show escalation before shooting

The confrontation unfolded at around 9 am on Saturday during a federal operation targeting a man allegedly in the country illegally and wanted for domestic assault. Protesters frequently intervene in such actions, using loud whistles, horns and shouts to obstruct officers. Pretti was among the demonstrators.

Footage shows Pretti standing in the street filming the officers before one agent pushes him towards the pavement. Other clips show protesters milling in and out of the roadway as federal officials warn them back. At one point, an officer forcefully shoves a demonstrator, prompting Pretti to step forward.

In one video, the same officer pushes Pretti in the chest, sending him and another protester stumbling backwards. Another angle shows Pretti positioning himself between that protester and the officer. The officer then discharges pepper spray; Pretti shields his face, after which officers grab his arm and spray again.

Seconds later, multiple federal agents swarm Pretti, forcing him to the ground as he resists being restrained. He is struck several times while officers attempt to secure his hands.

In one clip, an officer standing over the struggle backs away with a gun in hand moments before the first shot is heard. A voice shouts “gun, gun.” It is unclear whether this refers to Pretti’s licensed firearm. The videos do not clearly show who fired the initial shot.

Another recording shows an officer reaching for his belt, appearing to draw his weapon just before the gunfire begins. The same officer is then seen holding a gun to Pretti’s back as three additional shots are fired. Pretti slumps to the ground as officers withdraw with weapons drawn. More shots follow.

Authorities defend ‘defensive shots’

DHS officials said Pretti was shot only after he “approached” Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. They did not specify whether he had drawn the weapon.

An agency statement said officers fired “defensive shots” after Pretti “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him.

Governor Tim Walz rejected that description. “I’ve seen the videos, from several angles, and it’s sickening,” he said, renewing calls for the Trump administration to remove federal personnel from Minnesota.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he watched one of the videos and described seeing “more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents, shooting him to death.” Frey has repeatedly accused the administration of “invading” Minneapolis and St Paul with its largest immigration operation to date, called Operation Metro Surge.

Federal officials have offered a sharply different account. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asserted that Pretti attacked officers, while Commander Bovino claimed the 37-year-old intended to do “maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” On X, President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called Pretti “a would-be assassin.”

Trump himself posted images of the handgun authorities said they recovered from Pretti, questioning the absence of local police. “What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers?” he wrote.

Community tensions deepen after second fatal shooting

The killing of Pretti – the second deadly shooting by federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis this month – has drawn hundreds of demonstrators into the streets despite frigid conditions. The incident has further strained relations between local leaders and Washington, and intensified fears about the rapidly expanding federal presence in the Twin Cities.

(With inputs from AP)