Former President Barack Obama has condemned the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, describing it as a “heartbreaking tragedy.” In a statement on his Twitter account on Sunday, Starnews NG reports that he urged that the incident should serve as a wake-up call to every American, regardless of political affiliation, highlighting that many of the nation’s core values are increasingly under threat.
Obama’s comments come amid growing tensions and protests against federal immigration policies, emphasizing the need for unity and a recommitment to the principles that uphold justice and equality for all citizens.
Starnews NG reported yesterday that U.S. immigration agents shot and killed another U.S. citizen in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said, sparking fierce protests and condemnations from local leaders in the second such incident this month.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said a Border Patrol agent fired in defence at a man who resisted their attempts to disarm him. Reuters could not verify the Department of Homeland Security’s description of events. Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official leading local operations, said the man appeared to be trying to harm the agents but did not provide details of what led to the shooting.
He said it was being investigated.
Local leaders questioned that account and demanded that President Donald Trump immediately remove the 3,000 agents he has ordered into the city for an immigration crackdown. “I’ve seen the video from several angles and it’s sickening,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said. “The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation – the state will handle it.” Minnesota officials later said that their investigators had been blocked from the scene.
Local media identified him as Alex Pretti, 37. Public records indicate he lived in Minneapolis, and people who identified themselves on social media as former colleagues said he worked as a nurse. In bystander video verified by Reuters, multiple agents struggle on the ground with Pretti, appearing to strike him before a shot is fired. Pretti falls down, after which multiple additional shots can be heard.
In a second unverified video shot from a different angle, Pretti can be seen standing in the street and filming agents alongside protesters as whistles blow. An agent appears to deploy pepper spray at Pretti and two other people. An altercation ensues before the shots ring out. The agents back away from Pretti as the person filming runs away screaming.
Walz and other state officials are already at odds with President Donald Trump’s administration over the shooting of another U.S. citizen by federal immigration agents. Trump officials have said an immigration agent was acting in self-defence when he shot 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7 and have refused to allow local officials to participate in their investigation of the incident.
POLICE SAY MAN WAS LAWFUL GUN OWNER
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the man killed on Saturday was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record other than traffic violations. The shooting drew hundreds of protesters to the neighbourhood to confront the armed and masked agents, who deployed tear gas and flashbang grenades.
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