Minneapolis, Jan 24 : A federal immigration raid in Minneapolis ended in tragedy on Saturday when agents shot and killed a U.S. citizen, igniting widespread protests and intensifying tensions between local and federal authorities. It was the second fatal incident involving immigration agents in the city this month.

Federal officials said the shooting was an act of self-defense, claiming the man approached agents with a handgun and resisted arrest. The Department of Homeland Security released an image of the weapon they say was recovered. Yet video evidence reviewed by Reuters tells a different story.

The victim, 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, was seen holding a phone while filming agents who were shoving protesters. Footage shows him shielding himself from pepper spray before being restrained. At one point, an agent appears to remove a gun from him, but moments later another officer fires multiple shots into his back.

Witnesses described chaos as agents initially backed away from Pretti’s body before attempting medical aid while keeping protesters at a distance. The killing quickly drew hundreds of demonstrators to the streets, where agents used tear gas and flashbang grenades. Protests later spread to New York, Washington D.C., and San Francisco.

Local leaders condemned the shooting and accused federal authorities of blocking state investigators. Governor Tim Walz called the video “sickening” and vowed that Minnesota would lead its own inquiry. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations.

The fallout extended beyond the immediate neighborhood. The Minneapolis Institute of Art closed for safety reasons, and the NBA postponed a Timberwolves game. Mayor Jacob Frey demanded an end to federal immigration raids, asking how many more Americans must die before the operations stop.

Federal officials defended their actions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem insisted Pretti was violent and not a peaceful protester. President Donald Trump accused local leaders of inciting unrest, while Vice President JD Vance criticized them for failing to support immigration agents.

The shooting comes amid growing anger over recent enforcement actions, including the earlier killing of Renee Good, the detention of a man taken from his home in shorts, and the arrest of schoolchildren, one as young as five. Just one day before the incident, more than 10,000 residents had marched in freezing temperatures to protest the crackdown.

As tensions mount, state officials are urging restraint. “Please do not destroy our city,” Chief O’Hara pleaded. Yet with two citizens killed in less than a month, Minneapolis has become the focal point of a national debate over immigration enforcement and federal authority.