For years, Democrats and establishment officials have operated under the assumption that gun owners would reflexively side with federal law enforcement, no matter the circumstances. That belief collapsed almost instantly following the fatal shooting of a legally armed Minnesota man during a federal immigration operation.
What happened in Minneapolis after the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti has triggered a rare and explosive backlash from gun rights organizations—groups that typically defend law enforcement but refuse to surrender constitutional principles. And now, federal prosecutors and administration officials are scrambling to justify the incident as scrutiny intensifies.
A legally armed citizen killed during an ICE operation
On January 24, 2026, Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis. Pretti, an ICU nurse with no criminal history, was legally carrying a firearm under a valid Minnesota concealed carry permit.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti had no criminal record and was lawfully permitted to carry his handgun. That fact alone has raised serious questions about the federal response and whether deadly force was warranted.
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