37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday at ICE Protest
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Minneapolis MN, the city of Minneapolis has become a focal point of national tension following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The incident, which occurred during a high-stakes Operation Metro Surge arrest, has triggered a war of words between the White House and Minnesota state leaders.
Vice President JD Vance took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the ensuing unrest, labeling the violent demonstrations as “engineered chaos” unique to Minneapolis.
The Confrontation: Two Conflicting Accounts
The shooting took place as U.S. Border Patrol agents were apprehending Jose Huerta-Chuma, an undocumented immigrant with a criminal record including domestic assault and disorderly conduct.
REPORTER: “You just made claims that the individual posed a threat to law enforcement…”
SEC NOEM: “That is no claim. It is the facts.”“…This individual showed up to a law enforcement operation with a weapon and dozens of rounds of ammunition. He wasn’t there to peacefully protest. He was there to perpetuate violence.”
“And he was asked to show up, and to continue to resist, by a governor who is irresponsible and has a long history of corruption and lying.”
The Federal Position: A “Domestic Extremist” Attack
According to DHS Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, Pretti—a Minneapolis VA ICU nurse—approached agents while brandishing a SIG Sauer 9mm handgun.
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The Evidence: DHS released a photo of the weapon and noted Pretti was carrying two additional loaded magazines.
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The Struggle: Officials claim Pretti “violently resisted” disarmament, forcing an 8-year veteran agent to fire “defensive shots.”
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The Intent: White House advisors suggested the lack of ID and heavy ammunition indicated a plan to “massacre law enforcement.”
The Local Counter-Claim: The “Cell Phone” Narrative
Conversely, eyewitnesses and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) argue that viral video footage tells a different story.
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The Video: Bystander clips appear to show Pretti holding a cell phone to record the agents, not a firearm.
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Permit to Carry: State officials confirmed that Pretti held a lawful Minnesota Permit to Carry, complicating the federal narrative of an “illegal gunman.”
Trump Slams Minnesota Leaders for “Inciting Insurrection”
President Donald Trump did not hold back, using Truth Social to target Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey. He accused them of inciting violence with “pompous and arrogant rhetoric” that left federal agents unprotected by local police.
“This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about?” Trump posted, alongside an image of the recovered firearm.
Violent Clashes and the National Guard Mobilization
Following the shooting, an “unlawful assembly” was declared as hundreds of protesters flooded the streets near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. The scene quickly turned into a battlefield:
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Casualties: One federal officer reportedly lost a finger after being bitten by a demonstrator.
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Tactics: Protesters hurled trash cans and debris at armored vehicles; federal forces responded with tear gas and flash-bangs.
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Deployment: Governor Walz has officially called in the National Guard to secure the Whipple Building and support the Hennepin County Sheriff’s office.
Impact on Washington: Government Shutdown Risk Increases
The chaos in Minneapolis is having a direct impact on the nation’s capital. Senate Democrats are reportedly revolting against a looming DHS funding bill in protest of the federal tactics used in Minnesota. This standoff has significantly hiked the risk of a government shutdown as both parties dig in over immigration enforcement policies.
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I never thought I would ever see such a large amount of mental illness in this country.
It’s what you get when they close the insane asylums! More democrats.
‘it’ was a tranny again (per the pix on facebook)
You were fooled again(per believing facebook)
Seriously, “I saw it on facebook” as proof in this day and age….
Well fruit loop was pretty well armed…SIG Sauer P320 AXG Combat pistol with a high capacity
clip AND a threaded barrel. AND a SIG Romeo optic ! No he was a peaceful loving man who brought his mother flower and that. Yea Right.
This mentally unstable individual was packing for a fight. He got one. And he lost. He knew EXACTLY what he was doing.
Braver and better than you.
He was a man with poor judgement.