Breaking news: Border patrol agent kills man in South Minneapolis

Federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old man at E. 26th St. and Nicollet Ave. this morning, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

O’Hara said the man was a U.S. citizen and lawful gun owner. The Star Tribune identified the man as Alex Jeffrey Pretti.

Greg Bovino, Customers and Border Patrol Commander-at-large, said at a press conference agents were attempting to arrest an undocumented immigrant when an individual approached agents with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, and an agent fired "defensive shots.” This information has not been verified. Bystander video does not appear to show Pretti approaching officers with a gun drawn.

Bovino said the officer that killed Pretti has been a Border Patrol agent for eight years.

Warning: the following video is graphic. A video taken by a bystander shows several immigration enforcement agents pinning a man to the ground before firing multiple shots.

“How many more times must local and national leaders plead with you, Donald Trump, to end this operation and recognize that this is not creating safety in our city?” Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press conference.

City Cast Twin Cities producers Adam Sage and Tiffany Bui observed Minneapolis police, federal agents, and state troopers blocking off a perimeter where the man was shot. Protesters shouted at law enforcement and chanted “ICE go home!” Officers drove protesters down the block using flash bangs and tear gas which filled the streets with smoke.

City Cast producer Tiffany Bui witnessed an agent pepper spray KARE 11 reporter Jana Shortal at point blank range. Bystanders administered care.

After being teargassed and driven down the block by agents, protesters began blocking off the street with dumpsters, trash bins and furniture. At one point, the trash inside a dumpster blocking E. 26th St. was lit on fire.

O’Hara said the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating.

👉 We’ll keep covering this as it develops throughout the week. Take care of one another.

— Tiffany and Adam