American killed by immigration agent was holding cell phone and not gun, says newspaper; what is known about new death in Minneapolis, USA

US federal agents shoot another person dead in Minneapolis A man was killed this Saturday (24) by an immigration agent from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Alex Pretti, 37, was an American citizen and a nurse. Federal authorities said that Pretti was armed during the approach and that he had drawn his weapon. The newspaper “The New York” Times analyzed the videos of the approach, which showed there was no evidence that he had drawn the weapon or that the agents knew he was armed until Pretti was immobilized, when, according to videos of the moment, he was unarmed. (See the video above.) According to the American publication, analysis of the video shows Pretti placing himself between a woman and an ICE agent who is using pepper spray on her. He is also the target of the agents’ actions. Analysis of the video shows the nurse holding a phone in one hand and nothing in the other. The gun, which he had legal possession of, remains hidden until federal agents find it and take it from him. Image shows Alex Pretti holding a cell phone in his hand, filming the actions of immigration police officers. Reproduction/TV Globo/Jornal Nacional The video also shows when Pretti is hit by shots fired by two agents while he was lying on the ground. Pretti’s death is the second fatal case involving immigration operations in the state in less than a month, following the death of Renee Good on January 7. READ ALSO: Child as ‘bait’, threats and subpoenas: the dispute between Trump and Minnesota after protester was killed by ICE What you will read from here: What happened Who was Alex Pretti What the authorities say What Donald Trump said What the family says What happened next What could happen now Alex Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24, 2026 AP 🔎 What happened The shooting took place during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation. According to the initial version released by federal authorities, Pretti approached the agents carrying a firearm and resisted violently when they tried to disarm him. An agent then allegedly fired in self-defense. But videos recorded by witnesses, analyzed by news agencies and also by the “New York Times”, cast doubt on this narrative. The images show Pretti with a cell phone in his hand, filming the agents’ action. At one point, he appears to position himself between an agent and women who were being hit with pepper spray. He is then taken down by several agents, pinned to the ground and surrounded. According to an analysis by the “New York Times”, the weapon Pretti possessed was hidden and was only located by agents when he was already immobilized on the sidewalk. One agent had already removed the weapon when two others fired, hitting Pretti in the back while he was lying on the ground. Images analyzed by Reuters show an agent firing four shots in quick succession into Pretti’s back, followed by other shots. READ ALSO: Brazilian who defies ICE reports his encounter with immigration agents in the US 👨‍⚕️ Who was Alex Pretti Pretti was an ICU nurse and worked at a US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Born in Illinois, he was an American citizen and lived in Minneapolis. Family and neighbors describe him as a calm, supportive person who is passionate about nature. He participated in protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Alex Pretti’s family says he was a man passionate about nature and concerned about people. Personal File via AP Court records indicate he had no criminal record, other than traffic violations. Minneapolis police stated that he was a legal firearm owner and had a concealed carry permit in the state of Minnesota. The family said, however, that they did not know that he usually carried the weapon. 🏛️ What authorities say Federal government The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) classified the case as an attack on agents. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was not there to peacefully protest, but to “perpetuate violence.” Federal authorities released an image of a pistol they say he had. Gregory Bovino, of the Border Patrol, said the agent who fired the gun had extensive training and that the episode would be part of a series of attacks against federal agents in the country. Local officials The reaction in Minnesota was the opposite. Governor Tim Walz called the images “revolting” and declared that the state does not trust the federal government to conduct the investigation. According to him, federal agents had prevented state authorities from initiating investigations at the site. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a citizen with no relevant criminal history and a legal gun owner. Mayor Jacob Frey questioned how many residents will still need to die before federal operations in the city are ended. READ ALSO: ‘Let our ICE patriots do their job’, says Trump after new death in anti-immigration action in Minneapolis What Donald Trump said Donald Trump published an image of Pretti’s gun, however, analysis of the videos shows that he did not point it at immigration agents. Reproduction/TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump Trump came to the defense of federal agents. In publications on social media, he published an image of the weapon that, according to authorities, was seized and accused the governor and mayor of Minneapolis of “inciting insurrection” by criticizing federal actions. The president also questioned why the local police had not supported immigration agents. ‘Let our patriots at ICE do their job’, says Trump after new death in anti-immigration action in Minneapolis 💬 What the family says Pretti’s family stated that they learned of the death through a reporter and said they were “heartbroken and also very angry” In a statement, the relatives classified the statements that he had attacked agents as “disgusting lies”. According to the family, the videos show that he was only holding a cell phone and trying to protect a woman hit by pepper spray. “He was a good man,” the statement said. New death sparked more protests in Minneapolis Ben Hovland/Minnesota Public Radio via AP 🌆 What happened next The death sparked immediate protests in Minneapolis, even with temperatures as low as –6°C. Protesters clashed with federal agents, who used pepper spray, tear gas and stun grenades. The Minnesota National Guard was called in to assist local police. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts closed for safety, and the NBA postponed a Minnesota Timberwolves game. Protests were also recorded in other cities, such as New York, Washington and San Francisco. READ ALSO: ICE raids in Minneapolis mobilize the Somali community and raise fears of political intimidation in an election year in the USA ⚖️ What can happen now The case has expanded the crisis between the state and federal governments. Governor Walz announced that Minnesota will lead the investigation, despite reports that federal agents hampered initial access to the shooting site. In Washington, Democratic leaders defended blocking funding for DHS and ICE, which increases the risk of a budget impasse in Congress. Meanwhile, local authorities continue to call for the withdrawal of federal immigration forces from Minneapolis, and the city remains in a climate of tension.

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