1. What happened during the federal immigration operation in Minneapolis?
Federal agents conducting a targeted operation to locate an Ecuadorian man wanted for violent assault shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, early Saturday in south Minneapolis. Video shows several agents wrestling Mr. Pretti to the ground and shooting him multiple times in the chest after the Department of Homeland Security says he approached them with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and “violently resisted” their attempts to disarm him.
2. Who was the shooting victim and what was his background?
The victim was identified by his parents as Alex Pretti, a nurse who Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said had no significant criminal history beyond traffic tickets and was believed to be a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. The Department of Homeland Security stated that Mr. Pretti had “no ID” on his person at the time of the shooting.
3. Why were federal agents in Minneapolis?
The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents were conducting a “targeted operation” to look for Jose Huerta-Chuma, an Ecuadorian man who authorities say has a criminal history of domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a license. This operation was part of President Trump’s immigration crackdown, and this shooting marks the third involving government agents during these enforcement efforts.
SEE ALSO: Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minnesota
4. How have Minnesota officials responded to the shooting?
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called on Mr. Trump to pull immigration agents from the state, saying, “They are sowing chaos and violence,” and activated the State Emergency Operations Center while authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to assist local police. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office is working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to coordinate a state response, though investigators were initially blocked from accessing the scene by Homeland Security personnel.
5. What happened after the shooting?
Protests erupted at the scene, with authorities in gas masks using tear gas to push back crowds, dumpsters set on fire, and multiple arrests made. According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, some protesters attacked a law enforcement officer, biting off his finger, while Mr. Walz said Minnesotans are “creating a log of evidence” for future prosecution of the federal agents involved.
Read more: Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minnesota
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