Protests Erupt in Minneapolis After Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents

Mon Jan 26 2026 06:07:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A protest in Minneapolis escalated dramatically following the fatal shooting of a man by federal immigration officers. Eyewitness accounts and videos show federal agents clashing with local protesters in a tense atmosphere reminiscent of previous protests in the city.

On Saturday morning, a protest against federal immigration enforcement erupted in Minneapolis after a federal officer shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti. Initial silence on 'Eat Street' was shattered by outrage as protesters descended upon the area, clashing with federal and local law enforcement. The incident comes amid heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement in the city, recalling previous waves of protests. Local leaders have expressed concern over rising violence and the need for dialogue. The situation remains fluid as law enforcement manages the ongoing protests.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A quiet and frigid Saturday morning on Minneapolis’ 'Eat Street' quickly transformed into chaos after a federal immigration officer shot and killed a man. Videos surfaced showing multiple federal agents grappling with the man as gunshots were fired, leading to a wave of anger and protests.

The shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti ignited long-standing frustrations regarding immigration enforcement in the city, which had already been heightened due to previous incidents involving federal officers. Just hours after the shooting, the scene erupted into a confrontational protest as hundreds of demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, marking a return to tensions unseen since the George Floyd protests.

Initially occurring shortly after 9 a.m., the shooting came on the heels of ongoing demonstrations against local immigration enforcement practices, which residents had been actively protesting for several weeks. Eyewitnesses reported that as law enforcement mobilized in response to the shooting, protesters threw insults, invoked whistles previously used in protests to alert about federal officers, and engaged in skirmishes with the police.

The situation turned increasingly tense as participants organized barriers using discarded police tape and dumpsters, while a growing memorial for Pretti formed in the area. The crowd demonstrated with signs that denounced the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, urging it to leave Minnesota.

Both federal and local law enforcement were present, including the Minnesota National Guard, as officials attempted to maintain the peace around the shooting. Minneapolis police Chief Brian O'Hara addressed the media, emphasizing the importance of allowing peaceful demonstrations and ensuring public safety as a priority.

As the day progressed, the intersection of the shooting became a sanctuary for mourners, reflecting emotions of anger and sorrow similar to previous protests demanding justice for victims of police violence. Community members, some bringing refreshments to protesters, expressed a sense of helplessness as they reflected on the turmoil in their city.

The emergence of a vigil as night fell illustrated the deep frustration and demand for change in the face of ongoing violence related to immigration enforcement. It feels like every day something crazier happens, said local resident Caleb Spike, encapsulating the sentiments voiced by many in the crowd.