1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing about the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. This was the third shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis within three weeks, following the fatal shooting of Renée Good on January 7 and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis the following week. This pattern of violence must end immediately. Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital and a member of the American Federation of Government Employees. Video analysis by The New York Times shows that Pretti was holding a phone, not a gun, in the moments before agents tackled him. The analysis found that several agents wrestled him onto the sidewalk, one officer struck him with an object, and then ten shots were fired over five seconds. Agents yelled that Pretti had a gun approximately eight seconds after he had been pinned to the ground. Witnesses testified that Pretti was not resisting and was focused on helping a woman who had been pushed to the ground by agents. Department of Homeland Security officials blocked local police from accessing the scene even though the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had a warrant signed by a judge. This obstruction of justice is unacceptable. Hennepin County attorney Mary Moriarty and Governor Tim Walz have called for accountability, but federal officials continue to interfere with state investigations. I demand that you take immediate action to ensure federal agents are held accountable for this killing. Support legislation that requires independent investigations when federal agents use deadly force. Oppose any spending package that funds DHS operations until comprehensive reforms are implemented, including body camera requirements, de-escalation training, and civilian oversight. Vote to end Operation Metro Surge and similar operations that have resulted in three shootings in three weeks. Alex Pretti was a healthcare worker who dedicated his career to caring for veterans. He deserved better than to be killed while exercising his constitutional rights. Minnesota deserves better than federal agents who operate above the law.