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The fatal Border Patrol The shooting of a man who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said was armed with a 9mm pistol during a confrontation with agents Saturday sparked a clash between gun rights groups, pitting defenses of legal carry and protest rights against warnings about escalating anti-law enforcement rhetoric.
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was shot and killed Saturday morning while reportedly protesting an immigration enforcement operation targeting an illegal immigrant with a criminal record.
DHS officials say Pretti was approached Border Patrol Agents while he was armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” when they attempted to disarm him, leading to the shooting.
State officials said Pretti, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was suffering from Legal Transport Permit (PTC)and court records obtained by Fox News Digital indicate he had no criminal record.
Members of the so-called “Armed Community Response” patrol near the scene of a deadly Border Patrol-involved shooting Saturday in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
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The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus quickly responded to the shooting, calling it “deeply concerning.”
“According to local authorities, the man was legally armed, a firearm was found at the scene and it appears he was a legal gun owner and permit holder,” the organization wrote in a statement.
They added that many critical facts remain unknown as the shooting took place just hours earlier.
This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot and killed by a federal officer Saturday in Minneapolis. (Michael Pretti via AP)
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“We do not yet have an independent account of what triggered the encounter or what triggered the use of deadly force,” the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus wrote. “Despite much speculation regarding intent, no evidence has been produced indicating an intent to harm the officers. We demand a full and transparent investigation by state and federal authorities.
“Every peaceful Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms, including when attending demonstrations, acting as an observer or exercise their First Amendment rights. These rights do not disappear when someone is legally armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times. »
Contrary to the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus’ response, the National Rifle Association (NRA) released a statement on social media accusing blue state Democratic leaders of “incitement”[ing] violence” against law enforcement officers, and advocate to Minnesotans to bring down the temperature amid the ongoing unrest.
The National Rifle Association released a statement on social media accusing blue state Democratic leaders of ‘incitement'[ing] violence” against the police. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
“For months, radical progressive politicians like [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Waltz have incited violence against law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs,” the NRA wrote in an X-post. “Unsurprisingly, these calls to dangerously interfere with legitimate law enforcement activities have resulted in violence, tragically resulting in injuries and deaths.”
The NRA noted that, as with any officer-involved shooting, there will be “a robust and comprehensive investigation that will take place to determine whether the use of force was justified.”
“As we await these facts and gain a clearer understanding, we urge political voices to lower the temperature to ensure the safety of their constituents and law enforcement officers,” NRA officials wrote.
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As gun rights groups made their voices heard, members of the so-called “armed community response” in Minneapolis patrolled near the scene of the shooting Saturday night.
At least two people were seen at the scene, wearing tactical vests and carrying open weapons.
EDS leads the investigation into the shooting, with the help of the FBI.
