Protests have continued in Minneapolis and several other US cities following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the country was at a critical turning point and renewed calls for President Donald Trump to withdraw immigration agents from the city, while President Trump urged the state to hand over undocumented migrants in its prisons for deportation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said state officers were prevented by federal agents from accessing the shooting scene despite having a warrant, noting that the situation was straining long-standing cooperation between state and federal law enforcement.
President Trump later said his administration was reviewing the incident and suggested immigration agents could eventually leave Minneapolis, without giving a timeline.
The killing has deepened political divisions, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saying Pretti was shot while brandishing a gun, a claim disputed by local authorities and the victim’s family, who said he was unarmed at the time and had no criminal record.
His family condemned what they described as false allegations against him, as backlash against federal tactics grew, including criticism from some Republicans.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in freezing conditions in Minneapolis, while demonstrations spread to cities including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.