Ilhan Omar links Alex Pretti’s death to broader pattern of federal enforcement violence
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Rep Ilhan Omar described the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on Tuesday, January 27, as part of a broader pattern of violent federal enforcement while speaking publicly about the incident that has fueled protests across the city since late January.
Omar said Pretti’s death reflected what she called increasingly aggressive actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, arguing that communities were paying the price for heavy-handed federal operations.
Ilhan Omar links Alex Pretti's death to enforcement
Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs intensive care unit nurse, was shot and killed during a federal immigration enforcement encounter in Minneapolis on January 24, triggering widespread demonstrations and demands for accountability.
Omar praised Pretti’s life of service and community involvement, saying, “Alex Pretti was a kind, compassionate VA ICU Nurse who dedicated his life to caring for others.”
She added that Pretti’s decision to protest stemmed from concern for his neighborhood, saying, “His deep care for his community led him to stand against the ICE's brutal actions in our city.”
Omar argued that the shooting was not an isolated case but part of what she framed as a growing trend of federal authorities using excessive force during enforcement operations.
Emphasizing her criticism of federal tactics, Omar said, “He should be alive today,” while calling for deeper investigations into the actions of agents involved in the encounter.
She pointed to recent operations in Minnesota that have resulted in multiple fatalities involving federal officers, saying the pattern showed a lack of accountability and oversight.
Protests continue in Minneapolis
Pretti’s death has sparked nightly protests across Minneapolis, with demonstrators gathering near government buildings and federal offices to demand justice.
Footage from the moments leading up to the shooting shows Pretti filming agents as tensions rose. One agent appears to shove protesters toward a white SUV, pushing one woman to the ground.
Several agents then pin Pretti to the ground. One agent in a gray coat appears to remove a handgun from Pretti’s waistband and walk away with it. Another agent later draws his weapon and fires at Pretti’s back, with at least 10 shots discharged within seconds.
