The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, as confirmed by the US Deputy Attorney General. Todd Blanche emphasized the importance of the investigation but noted it is standard procedure when similar circumstances arise.
The investigation comes in the wake of protests sparked by Pretti's death, which occurred shortly after a similar incident involving the shooting of another individual, Renee Good, by federal officers in Minneapolis. Blanche stated, We're looking at everything that would shed light on that day, expressing the DOJ's commitment to fully investigate the recent events.
Previously, the investigation was under the direction of the Homeland Security Investigations branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The FBI, in collaboration with the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, will now take the lead.
Following the incident, two agents involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave. Early reports indicate that two officers fired their weapons during a confrontation with Pretti, who was a 37-year-old ICU nurse and a US citizen known for his activism.
Public officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have urged for a withdrawal of federal agents from the city as tensions rise. This incident has prompted calls for reassessment of the federal immigration enforcement strategy in the region, especially following the recent fatalities linked to federal actions.
As of now, the investigation is ongoing, with significant public interest and scrutiny surrounding the events that led to Pretti's untimely death.
