Protests across the US demand justice after another death at the hands of federal agents

Across the U.S., communities poured onto the streets in protest over the weekend after another person was killed at the hands of a federal agent.

Alex Pretti, 37, was killed on Saturday after U.S. Border Patrol agents shot him several times in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Pretti was among observers and protesters who, since the beginning of the year, have been documenting enforcement actions in the city.

His death came just over two weeks after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, also 37, when she was attempting to drive away after observing ICE activity in a Minneapolis neighborhood.

Prior to their deaths, 43-year-old Keith Porter was also shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on New Year’s Eve. 

Citizen actions gained momentum Saturday evening, with protests, rallies and vigils taking place in multiple cities, from Los Angeles to Phoenix.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom denounced the federal immigration raids. "No new funding. Kristi Noem must RESIGN. Greg Bovino must be FIRED," Newsom said in a post shared on X. "Suspend the LAWLESS mass deportation raids nationwide NOW -- ICE is no longer just deporting dangerous criminals. Send the border patrol back to the border. End the militarization of ICE + the sick racial profiling."

In Los Angeles, community members arranged a vigil for Pretti at LA's Mariachi Plaza on Saturday afternoon. Another protest was scheduled in the evening at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. In Ontario, a prayer vigil was held for Pretti on Sunday afternoon.  

"This morning, we learned of yet another tragic shooting in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents. This violence has to stop and the president must remove these armed, federal forces from Minneapolis and other American cities," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement Saturday.

In Arizona, Gov. Katie Hobbs called for a full investigation into the “horrifying killing by federal agents in Minnesota. There must be a full investigation and accountability. This violence must be brought to an end,” a post shared on X reads.

Major cities like Phoenix and Tucson saw protests on Saturday night. In downtown Phoenix, protesters rallied at Space Park that evening before shutting down streets in a march that called for justice and an end to ICE enforcement. A vigil led by interfaith leaders was held on Sunday in both cities. Additional actions on Monday, from rallies, Know Your Rights sessions and trainings were also planned.

Prior to Pretti’s killing, Minneapolis led the nation on Friday in an economic strike, leading to widespread protests in the city and across the U.S. and participation from businesses that shut down for the day in solidarity.

A nationwide general strike is being planned for Jan. 30.

DHS versions contested by witnesses, videos and local police

In recent killings, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released statements that are heavily contested by witnesses and, in the incidents that occurred in Minneapolis, with widely shared footage caught from multiple angles.

In the killing of Porter, the DHS said that the agent approached him and identified himself before Porter, 43, pointed his weapon at him. Gunfire was exchanged, leading to Porter’s death. There is no video of the incident.

According to his family, however, Porter was outside of his apartment complex celebrating by shooting a weapon into the air — a tradition considered common throughout certain parts of L.A. — when the officer approached and shot him.

As his family and local organizers demand justice, the Los Angeles Police Department has provided little information regarding the incident and the investigation into the shooting.

In both Minneapolis shootings, the U.S. government has defended the agents’ actions, saying Good’s and Pretti’s actions endangered the lives of the federal officers.

Videos of Good’s killing on Jan. 7 show her asking an agent to move out of the way and attempting to drive away before being shot by Ross. The DHS said Good attempted to run him over with her car, forcing him to open fire.

Saturday’s incident was also captured by multiple witnesses and footage of the fatal shooting has been shared across social media platforms. The department defended the officer who shot Pretti, saying that he brandished his weapon, intending to “kill” the officers. Local law enforcement, however, has said that Pretti was a registered gun owner with a permit to carry and that his gun was not brandished, as the DHS claimed.

At odds with the Trump administration, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former Democratic vice presidential candidate called for immigration enforcers to leave the state during a news conference on Sunday.

“President Trump, you can end this today. Pull these folks back; do humane, focused, effective immigration control – you’ve got the support of all of us to do that,” he said. “Please show some decency. Pull these folks out.”