HSI Officer's Finger Allegedly Bitten Off After Border Patrol Shooting
Homeland Security posted photos showing an HSI officer's severed finger after a Border Patrol shooting at 9:05 a.m. sparked clashes that left 37-year-old Alex Pretti dead.
Overview
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin posted on X that a Homeland Security Investigations officer had part of his finger bitten off during clashes in Minneapolis and shared photos showing the severed finger and two people in custody, officials said.
U.S. Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old U.S. citizen Alex Pretti at 9:05 a.m. local time during what the Department of Homeland Security called a targeted enforcement operation, Homeland Security officials said.
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino said at a news conference that about 200 protesters obstructed and assaulted officers and that the man appeared intent to "massacre law enforcement," while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara disputed federal characterizations, officials said.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it arrested two demonstrators for allegedly assaulting officers, and DHS said agents recovered a 9 mm pistol and two magazines from the scene, officials said.
The Minnesota National Guard confirmed additional soldiers will be mobilized at the request of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, and Homeland Security and local authorities said investigations into the shooting and the assaults are ongoing.
Analysis
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Sources (7)
FAQ
Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, Minneapolis resident, ICU nurse at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and member of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). He had a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm and a clean criminal record with only traffic violations.
The operation was a targeted immigration enforcement action against Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history including domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license.
DHS and Border Patrol stated that Pretti approached officers armed with a 9mm pistol and two loaded magazines, violently resisted when agents tried to disarm him, and was shot after posing an imminent threat.
Videos show agents tackling Pretti to the ground, one agent removing a gun from his waistband, and then another agent firing shots seconds later, suggesting he may have been disarmed before being shot.
An HSI officer had part of his finger bitten off, two demonstrators were arrested for assaulting officers, about 200 protesters obstructed agents, and the Minnesota National Guard was mobilized.
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