Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who lived in Minneapolis, was shot and killed Saturday by federal agents during an ICE raid. He was shot multiple times after federal agents first wrestled him onto a sidewalk, video footage from the incident shows.
The Border Patrol says that Pretti intervened when ICE was about to arrest a "criminal immigrant" and that Pretti was armed and resisted.
"Fearing for his own life and safety and that of his colleagues, a Border Patrol agent fired shots in self-defense," Greg Bovino, commander of the agency, said at a press conference.
That account is contradicted by images that appear to show that Pretti, who had a weapons license and the right to carry a gun, did not have it drawn and appears to be unarmed before he is shot.
“Disgusting lies”
Alex Pretti was born in Illinois, was a U.S. citizen with no known criminal record, and, according to his family, had been active in previous protests against ICE.
“We are devastated but also very angry,” his parents said in a statement sharply criticizing the Trump administration.
"I don't use the word 'hero' lightly. But his last thought and action was to protect a woman. The vile lies that the administration is spreading about our son are reprehensible and despicable," the statement, which was read on local news channel KARE 11, said.
They also say it is clearly visible that he is holding a phone, not a weapon, when he is attacked.
Intensified protests
The incident has fueled protests in Minneapolis, as well as in other places like San Francisco and Los Angeles. The demonstrations have been ongoing for some time and intensified after the shooting death of mother of three, Renee Nicole Good, in early January. All available Minneapolis police officers have been asked to report for duty and the governor has called in the National Guard, which is on the scene to assist the police.
The place where Pretti was shot to death quickly filled with mourners leaving bouquets of flowers and lighting candles.
The shooting is the third in three weeks in Minneapolis involving ICE.
Corrected: In a previous version, there was an inaccuracy regarding who shot the 37-year-old.
Facts: Who are ICE, CBP, and Border Patrol?
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Several agencies with police powers operate in Minneapolis. Here's the difference between them:
ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is tasked with investigating cross-border crime and illegal immigration within the United States.
CBP, Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for customs and border control and for facilitating legal trade and travel.
Border Patrol is part of CBP and can be described as the police branch of the agency.
Although CBP is a border agency, its powers extend approximately 16 kilometers (100 miles) into the country from the outer borders.
ICE and CBP both fall under the Department of Homeland Security.
In Minneapolis, the city's own police force and the Minnesota State Police are also present at the protests.
Source: ice.gov and cbp.gov
