High-profile figures have voiced their concerns after an anti-ICE protester was fatally shot on Saturday (January 24).
Alex Pretti was shot by a federal immigration officer on a Minneapolis street, echoing the tragic incident involving Renee Good, a mother-of-three, who was killed under similar circumstances in her vehicle just weeks prior.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the incident by stating that the federal immigration agents acted in self-defense, asserting Pretti was armed with a handgun. However, this claim is contradicted by witness testimonies and video evidence showing Pretti holding a mobile phone rather than a weapon.
Pretti’s family released a statement expressing their grief and anger: “We are heartbroken but also very angry.
“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman.
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper-sprayed.
“Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.”
The incident in Minneapolis has sparked reactions from celebrities, with many taking to social media to comment on the events.
Mandy Moore shared several statements and articles online, writing: “We have eyeballs. We’ve seen the video. They executed someone else. I’m not sure how this ends. This is terrifying territory.”
Ariana Grande shared a tweet from New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, which stated: “As tens of thousands across America protest the violence that ICE sows with impunity, federal agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis today. ICE terrorizes our cities. ICE puts us all in danger. Abolish ICE.”
Singer Olivia Rodrigo also spoke out on social media: “ICEs actions are unconscionable but we are not powerless. our actions matter. I stand with Minnesota.”
Chrissy Teigen re-shared posts, including one by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on X.
“Americans are being killed in the street by their government. Our Constitution is being shredded and our rights are dissolving. Resist,” she wrote.
“Senate Dems should block ICE funding this week. Activate the National Guard. We can and must stop this.”
Pretti had no criminal history, and his family highlighted that he had never had any encounters with law enforcement.
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump commented on the incident. Accompanying an image of a handgun, he stated: “This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about?
“Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off?
“It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves — Not an easy thing to do!”