Republican Leaders Demand Thorough Probe into Fatal Minneapolis Shooting Amid Rising Tensions
MINNEAPOLIS — A fatal shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with prominent Republicans joining calls for a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old man killed during a federal immigration operation in south Minneapolis.[2][1]
The incident unfolded just after 9:30 a.m. on Friday near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, where federal agents were conducting what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as a “targeted operation.” Minneapolis police responded to reports of shots fired and discovered Pretti with life-threatening gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. Firefighters extracted him and rushed him to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.[1]
Video Footage Raises Questions
Emerging video evidence, analyzed by CNN, has fueled demands for transparency. The footage appears to show a federal agent removing a gun from Pretti shortly before the shooting. According to the analysis, an officer is seen shoving a woman to the ground, prompting Pretti to rush toward her. As chaos ensues with pepper spray deployed, Pretti is grabbed and taken down. Moments later, amid the scuffle, shots ring out—one initial shot followed by nine more.[3]
“If he removed the gun before all the shooting broke out, then why is this man now dead?” questioned a CNN analyst in the video breakdown, highlighting the need for an impartial investigation.[3] DHS maintains the agent fired out of fear for his life and the safety of nearby officers, but critics argue the video contradicts claims of an imminent threat.[4]
Republican Pushback Against Federal Narrative
A chorus of Republican voices is breaking ranks with the Trump administration’s swift defense of the agent, urging a full probe. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), facing a Trump-backed challenger in his reelection bid, called the shooting “incredibly disturbing” and stressed that “the credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake.” He advocated for a “full joint federal and state investigation.”[2]
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who is not seeking reelection, demanded a “thorough and impartial investigation,” criticizing any administration official who “rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it begins” as doing a disservice to President Trump’s legacy.[2] Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) echoed this, stating ICE agents “do not have carte blanche in carrying out their duties.”[2]
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the only GOP incumbent senator up for reelection in a state carried by Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024, called for a probe to determine “whether or not excessive force was used in a situation that may have been able to be diffused without violence.”[2]
At the state level, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt described the event as a “real tragedy” on CNN’s State of the Union, pressing President Trump to clarify the “end game” for immigration enforcement. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott labeled it “not acceptable,” calling federal operations a “complete failure of coordination” or worse, “deliberate federal intimidation.”[2]
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) suggested redirecting efforts away from non-cooperative locales like Minneapolis.[2]
Local Outrage and Federal Defiance
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the shooting as the act of a “federal agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying.” He demanded accountability, justice, and the removal of ICE presence, warning that families are being “terrorized.” Frey urged the community to avoid escalation, saying, “Do not take the bait.”[1]
Bloomington Mayor Tim Mendez offered condolences for Pretti’s death and called for de-escalation, accountability, and community unity.[5]
The Trump administration has pushed back forcefully. Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller referred to Pretti as an “assassin” and “domestic terrorist” on social media. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti showed up to “impede a law enforcement operation.”[2]
Legal Developments
A federal judge has issued a court order requiring the Trump administration to preserve all evidence related to the shooting, signaling potential legal battles ahead.[4] This comes as local leaders and now Republicans question the federal narrative and call for de-escalation in Minneapolis.[2]
The killing has exposed tensions within the GOP over immigration tactics, gun rights, states’ rights, and trust in federal agencies—core party tenets now under scrutiny.[2]
Broader Implications
Pretti’s death marks a tragic escalation in ongoing clashes between federal immigration enforcers and local communities in Minneapolis, a city with a history of protesting such operations. City officials emphasize peace and unity while pursuing justice “as quickly as possible.”[1]
As investigations loom, the incident underscores deepening national divides over immigration enforcement. Republicans’ calls for scrutiny could pressure the administration to reassess its aggressive tactics, particularly in resistant jurisdictions.
Minneapolis officials continue to mourn with Pretti’s family, offering profound condolences amid vows to prevent further violence.[1]