Walz and Border Patrol Clashing in “War of Words” After Fatal Shooting of Minneapolis Nurse (Videos)

MINNEAPOLIS — A standard press briefing devolved into an extraordinary display of jurisdictional hostility on Sunday as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and federal law enforcement leaders offered irreconcilable accounts of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti. The confrontation reached a boiling point when a top federal official abruptly terminated his press conference after being challenged on the official narrative.

Video Courtesy DWS -  Protests erupted in Minneapolis following a tragic fatal 
shooting of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents. This incident has sparked outrage 
in the community and prompted calls for justice

Video Courtesy DWS - ICE & Border Patrol leaders unleash fiery defense in this 
chaotic Minneapolis press conference amid Operation Metro Surge!

Video Courtesy DWS - Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota addresses the deadly 
shooting that occurred in Blaine, Minnesota, on Saturday. 
In this briefing, Walz provides crucial updates on the situation, 
law enforcement response, and the ongoing investigation.

The Encounter on Nicollet Avenue

The weekend violence began Saturday morning during a “targeted operation” by federal agents in south Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, a local ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital and a known activist, was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a confrontation with protesters.

While Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem characterized Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” who intended to “inflict maximum damage,” bystander videos tell a different story. Footage verified by local news outlets appears to show Pretti holding a cell phone in his right hand and his left hand raised before being tackled and shot. While federal officials claim a 9mm handgun was recovered, Minnesota officials noted that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry, and video does not show him brandishing a weapon.

“Don’t Interrupt Me”: The Border Patrol Briefing

The tension between local and federal authorities peaked during a joint news conference held by U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino and ICE Executive Assistant Director Marcos Charles.

The atmosphere was electric from the start. When journalists pressed Bovino on why federal agents had blocked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) from the scene—even after the state agency produced a signed judicial warrant—the Commander grew visibly agitated.

The breaking point occurred when a reporter attempted to follow up on whether Pretti was actually holding a weapon at the moment shots were fired.

“Don’t interrupt me!” Bovino barked at the press pool, his voice echoing through the briefing room. “That’s enough. We are done here.”

Without further comment, Bovino and the other federal representatives gathered their notes and stormed out of the room, leaving dozens of questions regarding the use of force and the exclusion of state investigators unanswered.

Walz Denounces “Federal Occupation”

Two hours later, Governor Tim Walz took to a podium in St. Paul, flanked by Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. Walz, who has grown increasingly vocal against the federal “Metro Surge” operations, delivered his most stinging rebuke of the Trump administration to date.

“What we saw today from federal leadership was a disgrace to the uniform,” Walz said, referring to Bovino’s walkout. “I have reviewed the video evidence. The federal account is nonsense. It is lies. They are trying to tell us that a man who spent his life healing veterans was a terrorist, while their own agents block our state investigators from doing their jobs.”

Walz announced that he has directed the Minnesota National Guard to assist local police in “protecting the community from all threats,” pointedly including federal overreach in his rhetoric. The Governor also noted that the City of Minneapolis is filing a declaration for a temporary restraining order to pause all federal immigration operations within city limits.

A City on the Brink

The shooting of Alex Pretti is the second fatal encounter involving federal agents in Minneapolis this month, following the death of Renee Good on January 7. The back-to-back tragedies have turned the Twin Cities into a national flashpoint for the debate over federal law enforcement authority in “sanctuary” jurisdictions.

Chief Brian O’Hara appealed for calm but was firm in his support of the state’s right to investigate. “Our demand is for those federal agencies operating in our city to do so with the same discipline, humanity, and integrity that effective law enforcement demands,” O’Hara said. “You cannot hide behind a badge and then run from a microphone.”

The Investigation Stalemate

The primary conflict now rests on who has the authority to investigate the killing. Typically, the BCA handles officer-involved shootings in Minnesota. However, DHS has claimed exclusive jurisdiction, citing the federal nature of the “Operation Metro Surge” task force.

As of Sunday evening, the BCA remains locked out of key evidence, including the firearm recovered at the scene and the primary statements from the agents involved. With the federal government and the state of Minnesota now in an open legal and rhetorical war, the residents of Minneapolis are left in a state of high-alert, caught between two opposing forces of law.

Mainstream Sources and Links

• PBS NewsHour: Man shot and killed by federal officers in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse
• CBS News Minnesota (WCCO): Judge grants restraining order against DHS after Border Patrol kills Alex Pretti
• KARE 11: Border Patrol avoids question about whether or not Alex Pretti was armed
• The Minnesota Star Tribune: Legal experts question ‘highly unusual’ DOJ probe of Minnesota officials
• Fox News: Noem says Minneapolis suspect committed ‘domestic terrorism,’ accuses Walz of inciting violence
• Associated Press: Protesters demand immigration agents leave Minneapolis after man is shot and killed