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The killing by Border Patrol agents of a man the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says was armed with a 9mm handgun during a confrontation with agents on Saturday has sparked a clash between gun rights groups, those who defend the right to exercise legal rights and the right to protest against warnings about the rise of anti-law enforcement.
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was shot Saturday morning while protesting immigration enforcement targeting an illegal immigrant with a criminal record.
DHS officials say Pretti is close Border Patrol agents while he was armed with a gun and “resisted violence” when they tried to disarm him, which led to the shooting.
State officials said Pretti, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had a valid carry permit (PTC), and court records obtained by Fox News Digital show he had no criminal record.
Members of the so-called “armed community response” patrol near the scene of a shootout involving the Border Patrol, Saturday, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
ANTI-ICE AGITATOR ALLEGED TO BITE FEDERAL OFFICER’S FINGER DURING MINNEAPOLIS ATTACK
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus quickly responded to the shooting, calling it “deeply concerning.”
“According to the local officials, this man was legally armed, a gun was found at the scene of the incident, it is believed that he was the legal owner of the gun and had a permit to carry it,” the agency wrote in a statement.
They added that many critical facts are still unknown, as the shooting happened just hours before.
This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal officer, Saturday, in Minneapolis. (Michael Pretti via AP)
MINNESOTA POLICE OFFICERS ARE FORGIVING OTHER EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WHO COULD LIVE WITH VIOLENCE, THE CITIZEN SAID, INCLUDING OUT-OF-PAUSE POLICE.
“At this time we do not have an independent account of what started the encounter or what led to the use of deadly force,” the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus wrote. “While speculation about the motive has been rife, no evidence has been presented to indicate that they intended to harm these officers. We are calling for a full and transparent investigation by federal and state authorities.
“Every peaceful Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including when attending demonstrations, acting as bystanders, or exercising First Amendment rights. These rights do not disappear when one is legally armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times.”
In response to the response of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, the National Rifle Association (NRA) released a statement on social media accusing Democratic leaders in the green state of “inciting[ing] violence” against law enforcement, and urging Minnesotans to turn down the heat amid ongoing unrest.
The National Rifle Association released a statement on social media accusing Democratic leaders in the blue state of “incitement[ing] violence” against law enforcement. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
NOEM SAYS MINNEAPOLIS SUSPECT COMMITTED ‘DOMESTIC TERRORISM,’ ACCUSES WALZ, FREY OF SPELLING VIOLENCE.
“For months, progressive politicians love it [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz incited violence against law enforcement officers just trying to do their job,” the NRA wrote on the X site. “Unsurprisingly, these calls for dangerous interference in law enforcement activities have resulted in violence, tragically resulting in injuries and deaths.”
The NRA noted that as with any officer-involved shooting, there will be a “robust and extensive investigation underway to determine whether the use of force was justified.”
“As we await these facts and gain a clearer understanding, we urge political voices to lower the temperature to ensure that their officials and law enforcement officials remain safe,” NRA officials wrote.
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As gun rights groups mourned, members of the so-called “armed crowd” in Minneapolis stood vigil near the scene Saturday night.
At least two people were seen in the area wearing smart vests and open weapons.
DHS is leading the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from the FBI.
