ICE reports violent Minneapolis mob lets suspect flee and left federal agent ‘permanently maimed’

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA:  Federal law enforcement officials say a violent mob disrupted a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, allowing a criminal suspect to escape custody and leaving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent "permanently maimed."

Federal officials said the chaotic confrontation occurred after 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal agents on Saturday, January 24, during the same ICE and Border Patrol immigration enforcement operation.

Mob interference and the escape of Jose Huerta‑Chuma

Federal officials reported that a planned immigration arrest in Minneapolis was derailed when crowds interfered and assaulted Border Patrol and ICE agents, forcing the officers to abandon the operation.

Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said during a Sunday press briefing that agents were conducting a targeted enforcement action when violent unrest erupted. As the situation turned chaotic, Bovino said agents were forced to retreat, allowing the suspect, Jose Huerta‑Chuma, to escape.

Bovino described the failure of the operation as a direct result of decisions made by politicians, activists, and those who confronted law enforcement. “This individual is still roaming the streets today,” he said.

He continued, “This individual walks the streets today because of those choices made by politicians and those, perhaps, weaker‑minded constituents that chose to follow directions of those politicians. Sad state of affairs.”

Authorities identified Huerta‑Chuma as an illegal immigrant with a significant criminal history that includes domestic assault involving intentional bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license. The enforcement operation was aimed at taking him into custody when the unrest interrupted the effort.

Protester bites off ICE agent’s finger in anti‑ICE protest

Federal officials confirmed that the unrest erupted after the fatal shooting of Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and member of the American Federation of Government Employees who worked as a nurse at a US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.

Pretti was allegedly shot when he approached Border Patrol agents armed with a 9 mm pistol and “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him, according to Homeland Security officials. Medical personnel rendered aid at the scene, but Pretti was pronounced dead. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later said he possessed a "valid permit to carry the firearm" he had.

In the chaos that followed, Homeland Security officials said an ICE agent suffered a severe injury when a protester allegedly bit off part of his finger while agents tried to control the crowd.

Marcos Charles, ICE Executive Assistant Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, confirmed the severity of the assault. “The protester literally bit off part of that agent’s finger,” Charles said.

He added that the injured officer received immediate medical attention and was taken to a hospital. “The officer is recovering but is now permanently maimed and has lost part of his finger,” Charles explained.

He also noted a broader trend of increasing violence against federal law enforcement officials in Minneapolis and across the country. Charles emphasized the mission of ICE and Border Patrol: “The reality is we’re out here to arrest dangerous criminal illegal aliens so they can’t victimize innocent people in our communities anymore.”

Since beginning ICE operations in Minnesota, Charles said the agency had arrested more than 3,400 illegal aliens, removing what he described as “criminals, gang members and terrorists” from local communities.