New York ~ Minneapolis descended into chaos on Saturday after federal immigration police shot and killed a 37-year-old man during an operation in the city, triggering mass protests, clashes in the streets and renewed outrage over what local leaders describe as an “occupation” by federal forces.

The fatal shooting, which unfolded on Nicollet Avenue, marked the second killing involving federal agents in this American city within weeks, further deepening a crisis that residents and officials say has pushed the city into an atmosphere resembling a conflict zone, an escalation some compared to scenes from war-ravaged parts of West Asia.

Second fatal shooting in weeks

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that a 37-year-old man was killed in the incident but initially declined to identify him, saying details about what led up to the shooting remained limited. The victim was later identified by his parents as Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse.

The killing came less than a month after another deadly incident in the city. On January 7, 37-year-old Renee Good was shot dead by a federal agent in south Minneapolis, sparking widespread anger and protests that have continued daily in the Twin Cities.

Saturday’s shooting took place just over a mile from the site where Good was killed, adding to the sense of a city spiralling into turmoil.

Protests erupt, streets turn volatile

Within hours of the latest killing, hundreds of protesters poured into the streets, shouting at federal officers, blowing whistles and demanding the removal of immigration enforcement from Minnesota.

Witnesses described federal agents firing chemical irritants into the air and towards crowds, while officers used batons and flash bangs as tensions escalated. Some protesters were arrested as anger mounted at the scene.

“What are you doing?” one woman shouted in a livestream from the street. “You just shot someone and now you’re terrorizing us. What more can we take?”

As the crowd grew, demonstrators dragged garbage dumpsters into the roadway to block streets and chanted “ICE out now,” referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. At least one officer was seen mocking protesters as he walked away, telling them, “Boo hoo.”

“They’re killing my neighbours!” said Minneapolis resident Josh Koskie, as outrage rippled through the crowd.

Conflicting accounts of what happened

The Department of Homeland Security defended the shooting, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stating federal officers fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and “violently resisted” when officers tried to disarm him.

However, Chief O’Hara said police believe the man was a “lawful gun owner with a permit to carry”, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the killing.

Federal officials said the officer who fired the fatal shots was an eight-year Border Patrol veteran, while Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino claimed the officer had extensive training in firearms safety and the use of less-lethal force.

“This is only the latest attack on law enforcement,” Bovino said, alleging DHS personnel across the country had been attacked and shot at.

Videos fuel anger, raise questions

Bystander videos from the scene, cited by reporters, appeared to contradict federal claims, showing Pretti holding a phone rather than a weapon as he filmed agents pushing protesters.

In footage described by witnesses, Pretti is seen recording as an agent shoves a woman away and pushes another person to the ground. Pretti then steps between the agent and the women, raising an arm to shield himself as he is pepper-sprayed.

As Pretti tries to assist a fallen woman, multiple agents force him to the ground. One agent is seen pulling an item from his waistband and quickly moving away. Moments later, an officer with a handgun aimed at Pretti’s back fires multiple shots in quick succession, followed by additional gunfire.

In another bystander video, according to The Associated Press, officers are seen surrounding a man, restraining him, and striking him with what appears to be a canister before shots ring out. With officers clustered around him, it is unclear from the video who fired first. After the shooting, the man lies motionless on the street as officers back away.

Leaders demand federal pullout

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, speaking after the shooting, issued a blistering condemnation of the federal operation.

“You ask us for peace, and we give it, and we get shot in the face on the streets coming out of a donut shop,” Walz said, reflecting the fury and disbelief gripping the state.

Walz later demanded an immediate end to the operation, saying, “The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also sharply criticized the continued federal presence, calling the latest killing unacceptable and warning of more deaths unless the operation ends.

“How many more residents, how many more Americans, need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?” Frey asked.

In a direct appeal to President Donald Trump, Frey urged him to “ditch your political narrative” and withdraw federal agents.

“How many times must local and national leaders plead with you, Donald Trump, to end this operation and recognize that this is not creating safety in our city?” he said, adding that Minneapolis was being “invaded by its own federal government.”

Frey rejected the idea that local officials or community members were responsible for escalating tensions, saying he was “done being told” the public was to blame for the anger erupting in the streets.

City “under siege”, fear spreads

Beyond the protests, residents describe a climate of fear across Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs, with people reportedly staying indoors for weeks amid concerns they could be detained regardless of immigration status.

Community groups have mobilized to deliver food and essentials to those afraid to leave home, while parents have organized patrols outside schools to ensure children can travel safely.

The crisis has been further inflamed by reports of children being detained, including a two-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy, incidents that have intensified public outrage against the immigration crackdown.

Rachel Sayre, director of Minneapolis’s emergency management department, compared what she has witnessed to conflict zones abroad.

“My background is in international humanitarian response in conflict zones in Yemen, Haiti, Syria, Iraq and Ukraine,” she was quoted as saying. “What I’ve seen here is what I’ve seen there – a powerful entity violently and intentionally terrorising people.”

Trump attacks state leadership

President Trump weighed in on social media by lashing out at Governor Walz and Minneapolis’ mayor while questioning why local police were not involved.

Trump also shared images of a gun that federal officials said was recovered at the scene, writing, “What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE officers?”

Protests set to continue

The killing came a day after tens of thousands joined an “economic blackout” and protest march in frigid temperatures, demanding an end to federal enforcement operations and justice for Renee Good.

With vigils and demonstrations expected to continue through the weekend, Minneapolis now faces a deepening confrontation between residents and federal authorities—one that local leaders warn is turning a major American city into a battleground, marked by unrest, fear and the heavy presence of armed agents in the streets.