Governor Walz Calls for Independent Probe into Federal Shooting in Minnesota
A deepening rift between state and federal law enforcement has emerged in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of US citizen Alex Pretti by federal agents. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has formally notified Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) that it will not share evidence regarding the death of Alex Pretti.Pretti, a nurse and legal observer, was killed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in late January. The refusal has drawn sharp condemnation from Governor Tim Walz, who described the move as both 'concerning and unprecedented'.Governor Demands Impartial InquiryGovernor Walz, dealing with growing public unrest in Minneapolis, has demanded an impartial investigation into the recent string of shootings involving federal immigration authorities. On Monday, he expressed his frustration that the federal government appears to be investigating itself without external oversight.'Trump's left hand cannot investigate his right hand,' Walz stated in response to the FBI's decision to withhold evidence. 'The families of the deceased deserve better.'The Governor's comments highlight the political and legal tension arising from 'Operation Metro Surge', an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign launched by the Trump administration in December. The operation involves federal officers, often masked, conducting arrests in the Minneapolis area. State officials argue that when these operations result in death, local laws regarding transparency and criminal investigation must still apply.
Gov. Walz posted on X: 'The families of the deceased deserve better.'
State Investigators Blocked from EvidenceThe BCA, which typically investigates officer-involved shootings in the state, reported on Monday that the FBI had closed the door on information sharing. Drew Evans, the BCA superintendent, said the lack of cooperation prevents a proper independent inquiry.'While this lack of cooperation is concerning and unprecedented, the BCA is committed to thorough, independent and transparent investigations of these incidents, even if hampered by a lack of access to key information and evidence,' Evans said.He noted that the state agency would continue to pursue 'all legal avenues' to gain access to the necessary files. The FBI has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding their decision to block the state bureau from accessing the evidence.A Pattern of Violence in MinneapolisThe death of Alex Pretti on 24 January is not an isolated event but the latest in a series of violent encounters during the federal surge. Pretti, a nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs, was observing immigration enforcement operations when he was shot. He was a US citizen, as was Renee Good, another observer killed just two weeks prior.The FBI has also refused to share information regarding the shooting of Good, a 37-year-old woman shot in her car by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. The lack of evidence sharing forced the BCA to halt its investigation into Good's killing in January, stating they could not meet the investigative standards required by Minnesota law without access to witnesses and federal files.Conflicting Accounts and AllegationsTrust in the official federal accounts of these shootings has eroded significantly among local leaders and the public. In the case of Renee Good, Homeland Security officials claimed she was 'weaponising' her vehicle. However, local officials and witnesses have disputed these claims. Video footage of the shootings of both Pretti and Good has circulated widely on the internet, fuelling mass protests outside hotels where ICE agents are believed to be staying.Further complicating the situation is the case of Julio C Sosa-Celis, who was shot in the leg by an ICE official 10 days before Pretti's death. The Trump administration initially claimed that Sosa-Celis and two other men had 'ambushed' the officer, forcing him to fire a 'defensive shot'.However, that narrative has begun to crumble. Last week, it was revealed that two ICE officials were placed on leave and are under investigation for allegedly lying under oath about the interaction with Sosa-Celis. This revelation has only strengthened calls from both Democrats and Republicans for independent, transparent investigations into the actions of federal agents operating on Minnesota soil.
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