Minneapolis shooting latest: Victim Alex Pretti’s family condemn ‘sickening lies’ of Trump administration

Minnesota Rep Ilhan Omar has condemned the shooting of a Minneapolis resident as an “execution by immigration enforcement.”

“This appears to be an execution by immigration enforcement. I am absolutely heartbroken, horrified, and appalled that federal agents murdered another member of our community. It is beyond shameful these federal agents are targeting our residents instead of protecting them. This isn’t isolated or accidental.

“The Trump administration is trying to beat us into submission rather than protect us. This administration cannot continue violating constitutional rights under the guise of immigration enforcement. ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota immediately.

“Their presence is terrorizing our communities, violating rights, and taking lives with zero accountability. Minnesota was once a place of refuge, and Trump has turned it into a war zone where unchecked federal forces murder our neighbors.”

The National Rifle Association has condemned comments from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, supporting federal agents after an anti-ICE protester was shot in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti, a licensed gun holder, was shot dead and accused by federal officials of attempting to assassinate officers with a pistol.

Essayli said: “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don’t do it!”

Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a “lawful gun owner” with a permit.

The NRA has said: “This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”

Senior US reporter Alex Woodward looks at just how Alex Pretti came to be shot dead by federal agents amid anti-ICE protests.

Philadelphia governor Josh Shapiro has made it clear that the state will not support ICE after reports suggested the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would ramp up operations in the city.

In a statement to NBC10, Shapiro’s spokesperson Will Simon, said: “Outside agencies do not have unfettered access to state databases. As it has for years, PSP may share information with federal, local, and other state law enforcement agencies when necessary during the course of a criminal investigation.”

Already, a number of anti-ICE protests have taken place in the Pennsylvania city.

“There are legitimate investigations that involve foreign nationals who have committed crimes in PA or elsewhere that would require immigration enforcement agencies to seek access to information contained in Commonwealth-run databases.”

They added Shapiro’s administration doesn’t allow the State Police to conduct immigration enforcement, serve immigration warrants from the federal government, or lease facilities to ICE or the DHS.

“Governor Shapiro has made clear that everyone is welcome in Pennsylvania, no matter who you are, what you look like, who you love, or who you pray to,” Simon said. “He will continue to stand with Pennsylvania’s immigrant communities.”

Minnesotans have been out in protest over a surge in ICE presence in the state.

Thousands of citizens marched on Minnesota’s largest city, Minneapolis, with others participating in an economic blackout on Friday to protest against what governor Tim Walz has called a “federal occupation” of the state.

Three weeks ago, tensions came to a head between the Department of Homeland Security and Minnesotans when US citizen Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed by a federal agent.

Federal agents have been involved in three other shootings this month during immigration actions. The day after Good’s death, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan man and woman in Portland, Oregon, after what DHS called a targeted vehicle stop.

On January 15, an ICE agent shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg in Minneapolis after DHS said he fled authorities.

DHS said at the time that Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan immigrant, and two other men hit an officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, prompting the shooting. Court documents unsealed this week told a different story.

An FBI affidavit said the ICE officers had scanned a license plate registered with a different person suspected of an immigration violation, leading them to chase the wrong person before the alleged assault and shooting.