From Minneapolis to New York, anger erupts after another American is killed by immigration agents
Edited By: Tendai Zola
Protests sparked by the killing of a man by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police, as nationwide outrage spread from Minnesota to New York. While local authorities urged calm, President Donald Trump accused Democratic leaders in Minnesota of inciting unrest.
Federal ICE officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man, identified by local authorities as Alex Pretty, in Minneapolis on Saturday. The shooting occurred amid ongoing protests following an earlier incident on January 7, when another 37-year-old American, Renee Good, was killed after an ICE officer opened fire on her vehicle. The latest killing took place less than a mile from the site of Good’s death.
Despite freezing temperatures, thousands of protesters filled the streets of Minneapolis, demanding the withdrawal of federal immigration forces. Federal security personnel used batons and stun grenades to disperse crowds, arresting dozens near the city’s airport. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called on residents to exercise restraint, stressing the importance of maintaining peaceful demonstrations and avoiding destruction.
Demonstrations quickly spread beyond Minnesota. Protesters also took to the streets of New York, denouncing what they described as excessive use of force by immigration authorities. Placards seen in circulating videos read, “Minnesota started it — time for a nationwide shutdown,” alongside calls for the removal of ICE from cities across the country.
Trump’s accusations
President Trump accused Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of “inciting insurrection” through what he described as reckless and inflammatory statements. Writing on his social media platform, Trump claimed the man killed was armed with a loaded weapon and additional magazines, asserting that ICE officers were forced to act in self-defense.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed that narrative, stating that the shooting occurred during an operation targeting what she described as an undocumented migrant. She said the individual allegedly attempted to seize an officer’s firearm, prompting police to open fire out of fear for their lives.
Calls for accountability
Minnesota officials, however, questioned the federal account. Governor Walz said multiple federal agents may have fired their weapons, calling the incident “deeply disturbing.” He urged President Trump to immediately halt federal immigration operations in the state and withdraw what he described as poorly trained and aggressive agents.
As tensions mounted, the governor authorized the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard at the request of local authorities, according to U.S. media reports.
At the federal level, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced he would oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s funding bill, arguing that recent events in Minnesota were unacceptable and reflected systemic abuses by immigration enforcement agencies.
The incidents have intensified a broader national debate over federal immigration operations, police accountability, and the use of force against civilians, as protests continue to ripple across major U.S. cities.
