Controversy continues to swirl around the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday by a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the agents were justified in shooting the Minnesota man, who was legally armed at the time.
There are conflicting arguments over the validity of the shooting, and controversy is not likely to subside anytime soon. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the deceased was lawfully armed.
“We believe he is a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.”
Calls quickly rang out for a thorough and transparent investigation
Now, multiple Second Amendment advocacy groups call for a transparent investigation into Pretti’s shooting. They are not planting their flags on one side or the other of the immigration issue, but they are alarmed by the shooting of a legally armed civilian whose threat level is unclear.
The National Rifle Association (NRA), Gun Owners of America (GOA), the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), and the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus (MGOC) each demanded a thorough investigation to determine the facts.
Government official claimed shooting might have been justified due to presence of firearm
The NRA first blasted politicians who “incited violence against law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs.”
As hours passed after the Saturday shooting, responsibility for the shooting was pinned on the armed man. Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of California, defended the fatality on X.
“If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you,” Essayli claimed. And in some cases, that is undoubtedly true, though legal possession alone cannot justify such a response.
But the NRA quickly blasted the statement as reckless and irresponsible.
“This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong,” the group announced. “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”
Law-abiding gun owners in particular.
GOA released a statement mourning the fatality. “We are saddened by the loss of life in Minneapolis, Minnesota, earlier today during a federal law enforcement operation. Because details remain limited and facts are still emerging, it is essential that the Department of Justice conduct a complete, transparent, and prompt investigation so the public can fully understand what occurred and maintain confidence in the rule of law.”
Kostas Moros is SAF’s Director of Legal Research and Education. He told The Reload that the tragic incident involving a concealed carry permit holder must be examined.
“Like most others, we were sad to hear about the officer-involved shooting in Minnesota,” Moros told the outlet. “We hope a full and thorough investigation will be conducted and justice properly served.”
MCOG also released a statement demanding “a full and transparent investigation by both state and federal authorities.” The group further declared that “many critical facts remain unknown” but that it was “deeply concerned.”
Pretti was apparently filming ICE agents as they carried out their operation, something that became an everyday occurrence in Minnesota. A confrontation erupted which quickly became physical, and the nurse was shot multiple times.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino supported his agent who fired and blamed Pretti for bringing the firearm to the federal operation.
Meanwhile, DHS officials claimed at one point that it is illegal for protestors or observers to carry a weapon at these public demonstrations. MGOC officials noted that constitutional protections do not end where these events begin.
“Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights,” the group forcefully declared. “These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed.”
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