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A Minneapolis immigration shooting left a US citizen dead on Saturday, igniting protests and sharp criticism from local leaders as federal officials defended the actions of immigration agents.

Federal authorities said agents fired in self-defense during an immigration enforcement operation. However, bystander video footage reviewed by journalists appears to contradict key elements of the federal government’s account, intensifying calls for an independent investigation.

The Department of Homeland Security said a Border Patrol agent opened fire after a man approached officers with a handgun and violently resisted efforts to disarm him. The agency described the shooting as justified and released an image of a firearm it said the man possessed at the time.

But multiple videos from the scene show the man, identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, holding what appears to be a mobile phone as he attempted to assist other protesters who had been pushed to the ground by federal agents.

As the footage begins, Pretti is seen filming as an agent shoves one woman aside and forces another to the ground. Pretti steps between the agent and the women, raises his left arm defensively, and is pepper-sprayed. Several agents then restrain him and force him onto his hands and knees.

Video then appears to show an agent removing a handgun from Pretti while stepping away. Moments later, an officer standing behind Pretti fires multiple shots into his back. Additional gunfire is heard shortly afterward.

Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was later pronounced dead at the scene. Some agents initially retreated before returning to provide medical aid, while others pushed back onlookers.

Protests Spread Across Cities

The shooting quickly ignited large protests in Minneapolis, with hundreds of demonstrators confronting armed and masked federal agents. Authorities deployed tear gas and flashbang grenades as crowds gathered in the neighborhood.

Demonstrations also erupted in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and other cities, marking the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis this month.

The incident further escalated tensions following the January 7 killing of Renee Good, another U.S. citizen, during a separate federal immigration operation.

Officials Clash Over Investigation

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sharply criticized the federal response after reviewing the footage.

“I’ve seen the video from several angles and it’s sickening,” Walz said. “The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation – the state will handle it.”

Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said federal agents prevented state investigators from immediately accessing the scene.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a lawful gun owner and had no criminal history beyond traffic violations. He urged calm as city police and state troopers moved to stabilize the area.

“Please do not destroy our city,” O’Hara said.

Nearby institutions, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art, closed due to security concerns, and an NBA Minnesota Timberwolves game was postponed.

Trump, Vance Respond

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents’ actions, saying Pretti was not acting as a peaceful protester.

“He wasn’t there to peacefully protest. He was there to perpetuate violence,” Noem said, though she did not clarify whether Pretti brandished a weapon.

President Donald Trump accused local leaders of inflaming unrest.

“The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric,” Trump wrote on social media.

Vice President JD Vance, who visited Minneapolis earlier in the week, accused local leaders of refusing to provide adequate police support to federal agents. Walz rejected that claim, saying the immigration crackdown has strained local law enforcement resources.

Calls to End Federal Operation

Local and state officials demanded an immediate halt to federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

“How many more residents, how many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press conference.

The shooting occurred one day after more than 10,000 people marched through Minneapolis streets in freezing temperatures to protest federal immigration raids.

Residents had already voiced anger over a series of recent incidents, including the detention of U.S. citizens, the arrest of schoolchildren, and the earlier killing of Renee Good.

State officials said their investigation is ongoing as public pressure mounts for transparency and accountability.