A protester was detained in Minneapolis during ongoing demonstrations following a fatal shooting earlier this month involving federal immigration agents. The protests have grown in intensity as residents and activists respond to the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen who was shot by federal agents on January 24 during an enforcement operation.
In cellphone footage from the scene, a man can be heard yelling his name and asserting that he is a U.S. citizen as officers take him into custody. Bystanders nearby are also heard shouting at agents and recording the encounter, with at least one voice shouting, “They will kill me. Stop taking pictures and save my life.” These comments echo the heightened emotions and fear expressed by some demonstrators who have gathered in response to recent federal use-of-force incidents in the city.
The protests were sparked by outrage over the shooting death of Alex Pretti by federal agents, which has drawn national attention. Local officials, including Minnesota’s governor and Minneapolis leaders, have called for transparency and an independent investigation into the incident.
Federal authorities maintain that Pretti’s shooting occurred during an enforcement encounter in which agents perceived a threat and responded with lethal force, while critics — including residents and protesters — point to widely shared video that appears to show a more complex situation.
As protests continue in the area, law enforcement is conducting arrests of individuals who are allegedly interfering with operations or refusing to comply with lawful directives during demonstrations. Tensions between protesters and federal officers remain high, and the events have reignited debate over crowd control and the appropriate use of force by law enforcement.
