Second Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis Fuels Federal-State Tensions
A man was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent during an ICE operation on Saturday when he approached Border Patrol officers armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.
The man, identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse approached officials with the handgun as they were attempting to arrest Jose Huerta Chuma, “whose criminal history includes domestic assault to intentionally inflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct in driving without a valid license,” according to Gregory Bovino, head of the U.S. Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection in Minneapolis, during a Saturday press briefing.
Meanwhile, the DHS stated on social media that Pretti “violently resisted” officers when attempting to disarm him, The Christian Post reported.
“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots,” DHS added.
The agency added that Pretti was pronounced dead after emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene to provide aid.
Approximately 200 protesters gathered at the scene later on Saturday, leading to crowd-control measures including tear gas as the group was assaulting and obstructing officers. During a press conference, Police Chief Brian O’Hara shared that Pretti was a resident of Minneapolis and had a legal permit.
This is the second fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis this month, following the death of Renee Nicole Good. Good was shot by an ICE agent when she drove into him with her SUV, which she had used to block traffic.
President Donald Trump stated Monday he will send border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, adding that he had “a very good call” with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and that they seemed to be “on a similar wavelength.”
“He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I! We have had such tremendous SUCCESS in Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and virtually every other place that we have “touched” and, even in Minnesota, Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better!”
Walz previously criticized the federal operation along with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
“We are creating a log of evidence for the future prosecution of ICE agents and officials who are responsible for this,” Walz contended.
“This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming,” DHS said.
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / Bloomberg / Contributor
Originally published January 26, 2026.
