Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minnesota

Federal officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis, the third shooting involving government agents amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Video shows several agents wrestling the man to the ground and shooting him multiple times in south Minneapolis early Saturday.

The man, a Minnesota nurse whom his parents identified as Alex Pretti, was struck in the chest and taken to the hospital after CPR was performed at the scene, according to reports.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told The Associated Press that the officers were responding to a man who had a gun with two magazines and fired “defensive shots.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the victim’s only previous interaction with law enforcement, as far as he knows, was for traffic tickets and was believed to be a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.

The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents were conducting a “targeted operation” in the city to look for “an illegal alien wanted for violent assault.” 

The agency said the man approached Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and, after they tried to disarm him, he “violently resisted.”

“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots,” the department’s statement reads. “Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The department added that the man had “no ID.”

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called him a “would-be assassin” who tried to murder federal agents, while the “official Democrat account sides with the terrorists.”

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office is working alongside the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to coordinate a state response to the shooting.

“The scene must be secured by local law enforcement for the collection and preservation of evidence,” she said in a statement. “We expect the federal government to allow the BCA to process the scene.”

Later in the day, the investigation unit said its agents and crime scene personnel tried to access the location but were blocked by Homeland Security personnel.

Ms. Moriarty has opened a secure portal for people to submit videos from the scene.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Minnesotans are “creating a log of evidence” for the future prosecution of federal agents involved.

He said he contacted the White House and called on the president to pull the immigration agents: “They are sowing chaos and violence.”

“Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word on this,” the governor said, adding that the federal government cannot be trusted with investigating the shooting.

His office said he has activated the State Emergency Operations Center.

Meanwhile, Mr. Walz said Minnesotans are “creating a log of evidence” for the future prosecution of federal agents involved.

On top of that, he authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist local police.

With guard soldiers already in the metro area to respond rapidly if needed, more of them are being mobilized in anticipation of requests for assistance.