Border Patrol agents placed on leave after fatal Minneapolis shooting as tensions rise
The two U.S. Border Patrol agents who fired their weapons in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis are on administrative leave, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
(NBC)- The two U.S. Border Patrol agents who fired their weapons in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis are on administrative leave, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The announcement comes as tensions remain high in the city, with President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan expected to speak in Minneapolis in an effort to ease public concern following the deadly encounter.
“Seeing what’s going on in Minnesota, it really breaks my heart,” said Jacob Kmiech, a Washington, D.C. resident.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz continues to call for federal immigration agents to leave the state, saying he has seen no evidence that their presence has been reduced.
“I have no evidence they have,” Walz said.
Meanwhile, new video has emerged showing Pretti involved in an altercation with federal immigration officers 11 days before his death. The footage, released by online outlet The News Movement, shows Pretti yelling at officers and kicking their SUV, breaking a taillight, before agents tackle him. The video does not show what led up to the confrontation.
Pretti’s family says they were aware of the earlier incident but insist he posed no threat to anyone. They say nothing could have justified his killing.
In a separate sign of escalating tensions, Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar spoke out after a man rushed and sprayed her during a town hall meeting. Omar’s office says investigators believe the substance used was apple cider vinegar.
“Fear and intimidation doesn’t work on me,” Omar said, blaming heated political rhetoric for the incident.
Lawmakers from both parties condemned the attack.
“Political violence or those sort of confrontations should be condemned across the board,” said Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri.
The developments come as Congress works to prevent a partial government shutdown by the end of the day Thursday, with Democrats opposing Homeland Security funding unless changes are made to immigration enforcement operations.
