The fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis within three weeks have sparked nationwide protests and intensified calls for sweeping reforms to immigration enforcement. Renee Good, 37, was killed by an ICE agent on January 7, while Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot dead by Border Patrol agents on January 24 during protests against the initial killing.
The deaths occurred during Operation Metro Surge, which the Department of Homeland Security described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out. Since December, DHS deployed approximately 2,000 federal agents to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, resulting in more than 3,000 migrant apprehensions but also the deaths of two US citizens who were not immigration targets.
Renee Good was sitting in her car when ICE agent Jonathan Ross approached her vehicle. According to witness accounts and video footage, Ross walked around her car and then fired three shots as Good attempted to drive away. Federal officials initially claimed the agent acted in self-defense after Good allegedly ran him over, but video evidence has raised serious questions about this account. Good was a Minneapolis resident with no connection to immigration enforcement targets.
The killing of Alex Pretti has drawn even more scrutiny due to multiple video recordings that directly contradict government statements. Pretti was filming federal agents with his phone and had positioned himself between an officer and a woman who had been pushed to the ground. Video footage shows him being pepper-sprayed, tackled by approximately six agents, pinned face down, and then shot multiple times in the back while restrained.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem initially described Pretti as engaging in domestic terrorism and claimed he was attacking officers while brandishing a weapon. However, an internal CBP assessment obtained by news organizations makes no mention of Pretti attacking officers or threatening them with a weapon. Independent analyses by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN all found that Pretti was holding only a phone when he was killed.
Pretti's parents have condemned what they called sickening lies from the Trump administration about their son. Minnesota officials confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid carry permit and had no criminal record. He worked as an intensive care nurse serving veterans and was participating in peaceful protests when he was killed.
The shootings have transformed daily life in Minneapolis, with federal agents maintaining a heavy presence throughout the city. Local officials and residents have expressed alarm at the militarized atmosphere and the apparent impunity of federal agents. Democrats in Congress are now demanding accountability, with Senate Democrats blocking DHS funding until reforms are implemented.
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