标签： North America

A fatal encounter between a Border Patrol agent and a Minneapolis healthcare professional has ignited nationwide protests and created a severe rift between state and federal authorities. The shooting death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during an altercation on icy roads Saturday has prompted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to demand the immediate withdrawal of federal immigration officers from his state.

The incident represents the second controversial shooting death in Minneapolis within weeks, following the earlier killing of citizen Renee Good. Governor Walz confronted President Trump directly during a Sunday briefing, questioning what measures would be necessary to remove federal agents from Minnesota. The state’s chief executive emphatically declared that Minnesota’s justice system would have final authority in the investigation, stating unequivocally that the federal government “cannot be trusted to lead this investigation.”

The confrontation has escalated into an institutional standoff, with Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reporting that federal Homeland Security officials denied state investigators access to the crime scene despite possessing a signed warrant. This obstruction highlights the deepening tension between cooperative federal-state investigations and the current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.

Contradictory narratives have emerged regarding the circumstances of Pretti’s death. While Trump administration officials claim the nurse intended to harm federal agents and was carrying a firearm, bystander video evidence appears to show Pretti holding only a cellphone before being wrestled to the ground and shot at close range.

The incident has drawn condemnation from former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, who both issued statements characterizing the shooting as an assault on core American values. Obama described the event as a “wakeup call,” while Clinton delivered a fierce indictment of administration practices that have resulted in protesters being “arrested, beaten, teargassed, and most searingly… shot and killed.”

Law enforcement experts note the unusual nature of such public criticism between agencies. Seth Stoughton, a former police officer and use-of-force expert, acknowledged that while public criticism between law enforcement agencies is uncommon, behind the scenes there is “nothing but professional scorn” for how Homeland Security is handling these incidents.

The shooting occurs against the backdrop of Minneapolis’ history with police brutality cases, notably the murder of George Floyd in 2020, which sparked global protests against police violence and systemic racism. Legal experts warn that the current situation represents an “incredibly dangerous place” where immigration agents appear to operate without meaningful accountability.

A prominent London hotel believed to be hosting senior U.S. immigration official Gregory Bovino became the focal point of demonstrations on Tuesday evening. Organized protest groups assembled outside the establishment, creating a cacophony of sound with drums and amplified chants directed at the visiting American dignitary. The demonstration, documented by BBC correspondent Tom Bateman, represents growing international dissent against Trump administration immigration policies. Bovino, whose exact itinerary remains unconfirmed by authorities, serves as a high-ranking official within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The targeted nature of the protest suggests carefully coordinated opposition to current American immigration enforcement strategies. Metropolitan Police maintained a visible presence throughout the event, though no incidents requiring intervention were reported. The demonstration highlights how U.S. domestic immigration policies continue to provoke strong reactions and diplomatic repercussions among allied nations.

President Donald Trump announced Monday the immediate deployment of White House border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, responding to growing civil unrest following two separate fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers within the state this month.

The decision, communicated through Trump’s Truth Social platform, comes amid escalating political tensions between the administration and Democratic leadership. The president simultaneously revealed an ongoing investigation into what he characterized as ‘massive’ welfare fraud in Minnesota, which he suggested was ‘at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests’ occurring throughout the state.

The deployment follows Sunday’s sharp criticism from former Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton regarding the federal government’s handling of immigration enforcement operations. The political condemnation emerged after two U.S. citizens lost their lives in separate incidents involving federal officers in Minneapolis.

The first tragedy occurred on January 7 when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good during an operation targeting undocumented immigrants. The incident ignited nationwide protests against perceived excessive force in immigration enforcement.

Tensions further escalated Saturday when a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot another 37-year-old American citizen, Alex Pretti, under similar circumstances.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has vehemently criticized federal operations, describing them as creating chaos within communities and formally requesting the immediate termination of ICE activities within state boundaries.

In a notable shift from previous rhetoric, Trump indicated Monday that he had a ‘very good call’ with Governor Walz, suggesting both leaders were ‘on a similar wavelength’ regarding resolution efforts, despite earlier claims that Democratic policies had directly caused ‘Democrat-ensued chaos.’

MINNEAPOLIS – The Trump administration is recalibrating its immigration enforcement strategy in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a second U.S. citizen by federal officers, a development that has ignited widespread public fury and political condemnation.

In a significant operational shift, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is departing the city amid escalating tensions. His replacement, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan, will now lead on-the-ground efforts. This move signals a potential de-escalation after Saturday’s shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who was filming agents during a raid, resulted in his death from multiple gunshot wounds.

The Department of Homeland Security maintains that agents acted in self-defense, claiming Pretti resisted disarmament while possessing a handgun. This account has been vehemently disputed by eyewitnesses, local officials, and Pretti’s family, who assert he was holding a mobile phone, not a weapon. His parents have publicly accused the administration of propagating ‘sickening lies’ about the incident.

Commander Bovino had become a polarizing figure prior to the shooting, actively promoting the administration’s hardline approach through social media videos of raids. His inflammatory remarks following Pretti’s death—claiming the victim intended to ‘massacre’ federal agents—further intensified community outrage.

The shooting marks the second fatal encounter in weeks, following the January 7th killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents. With over 3,000 immigration personnel currently deployed in the city, residents report living in a state of fear. ‘People aren’t able to work right now, they aren’t able to leave their house, they’re afraid,’ testified George Cordero, a St. Paul resident.

In a potential breakthrough, President Trump held discussions with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey—both Democratic critics of the immigration crackdown. The conversations, described as positive by all parties, explored pathways to reduce federal presence and ensure an independent state investigation into Pretti’s death.

Meanwhile, public demonstrations and memorials for Pretti continued throughout Monday, with additional vigils planned amid growing calls for accountability and policy reform.