In a significant development, two federal immigration agents have reportedly been identified as the individuals responsible for the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on 24 January. The incident, which has drawn widespread public and political attention, involves a Border Patrol agent and a Customs and Border Protection officer, both of whom are veterans of the agency.
Details of the Identified Agents
The agents, hailing from Texas, have served with Customs and Border Protection since 2014 and 2018, respectively. They were deployed to Minneapolis as part of Operation Metro Surge, an anti-immigration crackdown initiated during the Trump administration. Despite their identification in a recent report, Customs and Border Protection has not officially released their names, citing ongoing safety concerns for the officers and their families.
Incident and Preliminary Findings
A preliminary review of the shooting indicates that Alex Pretti was pepper-sprayed during a confrontation with one of the officers. This escalated into a struggle, during which an agent claimed that Pretti had a gun, leading both agents to discharge their firearms. The Department of Homeland Security has stated it will not confirm or deny attempts to dox the officers, emphasising the potential risks to their safety.
Political and Public Response
The shooting has ignited considerable public and political pressure, with figures such as Rep. Jamie Raskin calling for the agents to be identified. In response to these demands, the Justice Department has launched an FBI-led investigation into Pretti's death. This move aims to provide transparency and accountability in a case that has raised questions about the use of force by federal agents during protests.
The identification of these agents marks a crucial step in the ongoing inquiry, as authorities seek to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this tragic event in Minneapolis.
