Walz Deploys Minnesota National Guard After Minneapolis Federal-Agent Shooting
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz activated the state’s National Guard Saturday after a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis turned deadly, intensifying unrest and prompting a showdown between local leaders and federal authorities.
The Guard’s mobilization came as protesters swarmed the scene of a shooting in the Whittier neighborhood where a 37-year-old man was killed by federal agents conducting an immigration operation. The decision reflects concern from law enforcement that civil unrest and conflict could grow without additional state support.
Walz acted at the request of county law enforcement, according to verified local reports, to support Minneapolis police and sheriff’s deputies amid large crowds, blocked intersections, and confrontations with federal agents.
The man shot was later identified by his family as Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, and authorities said he was armed during the encounter, drawing criticism from state leaders.
Walz harshly rejected federal descriptions of the shooting and said the state would take the lead on the investigation, holding local officials accountable for understanding what happened. His remarks included strong condemnation of the operation and demands that federal enforcement cease.
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Protesters chanted and blocked streets near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street shortly after the incident, and law enforcement deployed crowd control measures to manage large groups pressing into traffic and public space.
The Guard’s role, while intended as support for local policing, signals the severity of unrest following two recent fatal federal shootings in Minneapolis this month, feeding a broader debate over federal enforcement tactics in urban communities.
State officials say the Guard will help maintain public safety and uphold peaceful demonstration rights even as investigations and political disputes accelerate.
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