Violent protests have erupted in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a US citizen by federal agents, with one Homeland Security Investigations officer reportedly losing a finger after being bitten by demonstrators.
Fatal Shooting Sparks Immediate Unrest
A Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old American citizen Alex Jeffrey Pretti near Glam Doll Donuts at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue on Saturday morning. The incident, captured on camera, shows agents wrestling Pretti to the ground before one fired multiple shots into his chest.
Pretti, a University of Minnesota graduate and registered nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to public records, he earned approximately $90,783 in 2023 working for the Veterans Health Administration.
Officer Suffers Gruesome Injury During Protests
As protests intensified following the shooting, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of Homeland Security, reported that an HSI officer had been attacked by rioters who allegedly bit off his finger.
McLaughlin posted on social media platform X: 'In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officer's finger. He will lose his finger.'
Accompanying photographs showed an officer in HSI uniform with a significant portion of his right ring finger missing, along with what appeared to be the severed finger tip placed in a medical container.
Conflicting Accounts of the Shooting Incident
The Department of Homeland Security stated that agents were attempting to apprehend Jose Huerta-Chuma, an Ecuadorian national wanted for violent assault, when Pretti approached them with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
According to DHS: 'The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots.'
However, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit, and Minnesota law allows permit holders to openly carry handguns in public. Law enforcement sources indicated Pretti had no serious criminal history beyond parking violations.
Third Federal Agent Shooting in Recent Weeks
This incident marks the third shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks. On January 7, an ICE officer shot and killed a woman, while approximately a week later, another shooting left a man wounded.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino revealed that the officer who shot Pretti had served with the Border Patrol for eight years. The agency later released photographs of the handgun allegedly recovered during the confrontation.
Community Reaction and Political Response
Friends and colleagues expressed shock at Pretti's death. Ruth Anway, a nurse who worked with him for six years, described him as 'a really good guy' who 'definitely did not deserve to get killed.'
She added: 'He was always keeping up with the news and always just really well informed about what was going on. We would always talk about everything going on in the world.'
Former President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, writing: 'LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOBS.' He questioned why local police weren't protecting ICE officers and made broader claims about financial matters in Minnesota.
Escalating Tensions and Continued Protests
Protests have intensified in Minneapolis as ICE continues operations in the city following the January 7 death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an agent. Just last week, another ICE agent fired a defensive shot at an illegal migrant, striking him in the leg.
The situation remains volatile with large military-style vehicles surrounding demonstrators who have blocked streets with dumpsters and restaurant furniture. Federal agents have responded with tear gas and pepper balls as tensions continue to escalate.
