Demonstrations were reported in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, with protesters demanding accountability and calling for the withdrawal of federal immigration officers from US cities. In Minneapolis, hundreds braved freezing temperatures as clashes broke out between demonstrators and heavily armed federal agents, who used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse crowds.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the United States was at an “inflection point” and again urged US President Donald Trump to remove federal immigration officers from the city. Trump rejected the call, instead demanding that Minnesota hand over undocumented immigrants held in state prisons for deportation.
In remarks published on Sunday, Trump said his administration was reviewing the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death and would issue a determination. He also suggested that immigration officers might eventually leave Minneapolis, though he offered no timeframe.
Federal authorities said Pretti was shot in self-defence after allegedly resisting officers and brandishing a firearm. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the officer involved believed his life was in danger.
Local officials, eyewitnesses and Pretti’s family have strongly disputed that account. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said state officers were prevented from accessing the scene by federal agents, despite having obtained a search warrant. He said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations and that Minnesota law permits public carry with a valid licence.
Pretti’s family accused the administration of spreading false claims after officials described him as a “domestic terrorist”. In a statement, the family said he had no history of violence and urged authorities to release all evidence related to the shooting. According to the Associated Press, court records show Pretti had no criminal convictions.
Political divisions over the incident have deepened. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, said Americans were increasingly concerned about federal tactics after seeing civilians killed on television. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy described the shooting as “deeply disturbing” and warned that the credibility of immigration authorities was at stake.
Democrats in Congress have threatened to block a key government funding bill if it includes financing for the Department of Homeland Security, raising the prospect of another federal shutdown.
The backlash has extended beyond politics. Chief executives of more than 60 Minnesota-based companies, including major retailers and manufacturers, signed an open letter calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and cooperation between local and federal authorities.
Gun rights groups also weighed in. The National Rifle Association called for a full investigation, urging public officials to avoid making assumptions about lawful gun owners before all facts are established.
Federal officials said the operation was intended to arrest another individual with a criminal record, but Minnesota authorities later challenged that claim, saying public records showed only minor traffic offences.
The killing of Pretti comes amid weeks of heightened tension in Minneapolis over immigration raids. Earlier this month, another city resident, Renee Good, was shot dead during a similar operation, further fuelling public anger.
While opinion polls suggest roughly half of Americans support tougher action against undocumented immigrants, surveys also show voters are divided over how aggressively the policy is being enforced. The shooting of Alex Pretti has sharpened those divisions, placing renewed scrutiny on the use of force by federal immigration officers and the broader direction of US immigration policy.
