Minneapolis shooting: Milwaukee protest, march downtown Saturday

MILWAUKEE - A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a 37-year-old man, now identified as Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, Jan. 24. It led to protests there, as well as in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee protest

Local perspective:

Hundreds of people took to the streets downtown. The group Party of Social and Liberation organized the "emergency action" at Red Arrow Park in response to the shooting.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Organizers said they are standing in solidarity with Minneapolis, and Saturday's shooting resulted in another death that they will not stand for.

"Even in this frigid cold and even in this time where there are so many crises and people are struggling in so many ways, people are fed up. We are out here to say enough is enough," said Erica Steiv.

Steiv said they will continue to protest and are interested in a general strike, which could look like people not going to work in protest – leading to a shutdown of some area industries.

Official statements

What they're saying:

Public officials in Wisconsin have provided the following public statements.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin):

"ICE and DHS are out of control and making our communities less safe. I will not support funding for DHS without clear accountability and stronger controls over the agency. It is time for the Senate to do its job and rein in this lawlessness."

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowey:

"It is time to stop pretending the large-scale immigration enforcement operations in Midwestern communities are about public safety.

"People – regardless of immigration status or how federal authorities choose to define them – are in danger when ICE operates this way in our neighborhoods.

"An agent entrusted with the authority to use lethal force must be able to withstand criticism, noise, and public scrutiny without resorting to deadly violence. This administration is pursuing reckless enforcement policies and refusing to course-correct, even when public safety is at stake. That is unacceptable.

"At the same time, I echo Governor Walz and Minnesota officials in urging people not to respond to violence with violence. That is exactly what escalation seeks: an excuse to come down harder. We cannot allow our grief and anger to be weaponized against our own communities.

"We cannot allow our pain to push us into vigilantism or retaliation that mirrors the harm we are demanding accountability for.

"We must not lose our humanity. We must remember who we are, what we stand for, and what kind of country we refuse to surrender."

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson:

"It's beyond time for federal agents to halt their aggressive actions in Minneapolis. The right of protesters to raise their voices against government action is enshrined in the First Amendment of our constitution. What ICE is doing on the streets of Minnesota would summon Americans anywhere to have grievances if it happened in their communities. Killing a protester who was on his knees rather than deescalating the situation is a fundamental affront to American values. Americans everywhere need to WAKE UP to what’s happening to our country."

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Devin Remiker:

"We must all be clear about what is happening. Trump and the GOP command and support execution squads – operating outside the law – on the streets of American cities. They can come to your community, attack your neighbors, murder you if you dare to question them, and lie that you were a domestic terrorist that deserved it. We are running out of time to stop it. Every election in 2026 is an emergency."

Who is Alex Pretti?

What they're saying:

Federal authorities said Pretti was armed. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino did not state if Pretti pulled a gun or where the gun was when Pretti was shot. Pretti had a legal permit to carry, is a U.S. citizen and lives in Minneapolis, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. 

Local perspective:

The Associated Press reported Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he played football, baseball and ran track for Preble High School. He was a Boy Scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir.

Minneapolis shooting

Big picture view:

The shooting comes one day after thousands of Minnesotans took to the streets in subzero temperatures for a peaceful march and rally calling on ICE to leave the state. 

Saturday's shooting was the third involving federal agents this year, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent on Jan. 7.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

What they're saying:

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social just a few hours after the shooting, saying, in part, the federal agents are in the state because of "massive monetary fraud" and "illegal criminals that were allowed to infiltrate the state through the democrats' open border policy."

And he lashed out at Minnesota's governor and the Minneapolis mayor. Trump shared images of the gun that immigration officials said was recovered and said: "What is that all about? Where are the local police? Why weren't they allowed to protect ICE officers?"

In a statement, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in part:

"Minnesotans and our local law enforcement have done everything we can to deescalate. The federal government must deescalate. I once again call on the President to remove the 3,000 agents from Minnesota who are sowing chaos and violence.

"Despite these horrific acts by the federal government, Minnesotans are still standing up for the rule of law and the dignity of all people."

Continued coverage

Dig deeper:

FOX6 News is keeping track of updates from FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul as coverage continues in the Twin Cities. 

• What we know about Alex Pretti, the man killed by Border Patrol agent
• What we know about the Border Patrol agent who shot man
• Video shows Border Patrol agent fatally shoot man
• Minnesota BCA says DHS blocked them from crime scene
• Reaction pours in after man killed by border agent

MilwaukeeNews