📈 Trend Breakdown: The India-EU FTA

[leotech1]

It is Sunday evening, January 25, 2026, and the city of Minneapolis is in a state of high tension following the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday morning. This is the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration authorities in the city this month, following the death of Renée Good on January 7.

[zaasmi]

1. The Incident: What Happened?
   The Victim: Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was a registered ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital and a lawful gun owner with no criminal record.

The Confrontation: The shooting occurred around 9:00 AM on Saturday near 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue (Whittier neighborhood). Pretti was reportedly observing and filming federal agents (Border Patrol/ICE) conducting an operation.

The Dispute:

DHS/Federal Account: Claims Pretti was an “armed suspect” who “violently resisted” and that a 9mm Sig P320 handgun was recovered. Secretary of DHS Kristi Noem labeled him a “domestic terrorist.”

Eyewitness/Video Account: Video analysis (including by CNN) shows agents wrestling Pretti to the ground. Crucially, footage appears to show an agent disarming Pretti before the fatal shots were fired, suggesting he was unarmed when killed.

Family Statement: Pretti’s family called the federal account “sickening lies,” stating Alex was trying to protect a woman who had been pushed down by agents.

[zaasmi]

Political Fallout & “The Letter”
Pam Bondi’s Letter: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz demanding the state hand over voter roll data and Medicaid records to the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.

The “Extortion” Claim: Democratic Senator Chris Murphy and others have characterized the letter as “extortion,” suggesting the Trump administration is conditioning the withdrawal of federal agents from Minnesota on the state surrendering its voter database.

Governor Walz’s Response: Walz has condemned the federal presence as “sickening” and “horrific,” calling for the immediate withdrawal of thousands of “untrained” federal officers from the state.

[Saqib Baig]

@leotech1 said in The Incident: What Happened?:

It is Sunday evening, January 25, 2026, and the city of Minneapolis is in a state of high tension following the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday morning. This is the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration authorities in the city this month, following the death of Renée Good on January 7.

Key Names & Terms to Watch
Alex Jeffrey Pretti: The 37-year-old nurse killed.

Greg Bovino: Border Patrol Chief who defended the agent’s “extensive training.”

Pam Bondi: U.S. Attorney General involved in the voter roll dispute.

Operation Metro Surge: The name of the federal immigration enforcement action in Minnesota.

Sig P320: The specific handgun model identified in the incident.

Important Note: Tensions remain high near the 26th and Nicollet area. Local news outlets like MPR News, KARE 11, and the Star Tribune are providing live updates on protests and the ongoing BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) investigation, though federal agencies have reportedly restricted state access to some evidence.

[qpgt001]

@leotech1 said in The Incident: What Happened?:

It is Sunday evening, January 25, 2026, and the city of Minneapolis is in a state of high tension following the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday morning. This is the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration authorities in the city this month, following the death of Renée Good on January 7.

In the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and legal gun owner, both the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) have issued statements.

This case has become a flashpoint for the gun rights movement because it involves a U.S. citizen with a valid permit to carry who was killed by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation he was merely observing.

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1. The National Rifle Association (NRA) Statement

The NRA, which often faces criticism for being slow to react to shootings involving legal carry holders, issued a cautious but firm call for transparency.

• Key Position: Urged for a “full and transparent investigation” by both state and federal authorities.
• The “Intent” Factor: The NRA emphasized that, as of now, there is no evidence showing Pretti had any intent to harm the officers.
• The Rights of Carry Holders: A spokesperson noted that the mere possession of a firearm by a lawful citizen should not be used as an automatic justification for lethal force, especially when the individual was not the subject of the original police action.

2. Gun Owners of America (GOA) Statement

The GOA, often considered more “hardline” than the NRA, was significantly more aggressive in its condemnation of the federal agencies involved (CBP and ICE).

• Key Position: Described the incident as a “shoot first, ask questions later” scenario by federal authorities.
• Criticism of DHS: GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt stated that DHS and ICE are “killing Americans” and that an outside, non-federal investigation is the only responsible path forward.
• Second Amendment Defense: GOA argued that the Trump administration’s defense of the shooting (based on Pretti being armed) undermines the very “law-abiding gun owner” protections the administration claims to support.

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3. NRA vs. GOA: Comparison of Response

Feature	National Rifle Association (NRA)	Gun Owners of America (GOA)
Tone	Cautious / Investigative	Aggressive / Confrontational
Primary Target	The lack of evidence for “intent”	The “untrained” nature of federal surge officers
Call to Action	State & Federal joint probe	Immediate outside/independent investigation
View on Federal Agents	Supports “law and order” but demands clarity	Accuses agents of “violating civil rights”

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4. Why This Matters to Our Community

The “Lawful Gun Owner” defense is currently the primary point of contention.

• The Federal Claim: Kristi Noem (DHS) and Stephen Miller have defended the shooting by showcasing a photo of a Sig Sauer P320 and two magazines they say belonged to Pretti.
• The Community Conflict: Many in the gun rights community are pointing to bystander video which appears to show Pretti being tackled, disarmed, and then shot while pinned. For many 2A advocates, this represents a “worst-case scenario” of federal overreach against a legal permit holder.

[United kingdom]

@leotech1 said in The Incident: What Happened?:

It is Sunday evening, January 25, 2026, and the city of Minneapolis is in a state of high tension following the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents on Saturday morning. This is the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration authorities in the city this month, following the death of Renée Good on January 7.

The shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti has created a significant rift within the gun rights community, as local Minnesota groups grapple with a scenario involving a law-abiding carry permit holder and federal law enforcement.

Here is a summary of the reactions from local Minnesota gun rights organizations:

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1. Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus (MN GOC)

The MN GOC is the state’s most prominent 2nd Amendment advocacy group. Their response has been one of deep concern and skepticism regarding the federal narrative.

• The Statement: Issued a formal press release on January 24, expressing that they are “deeply concerned” by the fatal shooting of Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse.
• The “Armed vs. Aggressor” Distinction: Bryan Strawser, Chairman of the Caucus, emphasized that “being armed is different from being armed in commission of obstructing federal law enforcement.”
• Demand for Investigation: The Caucus is calling for an immediate outside, independent investigation, noting that “critical facts remain unknown” and that state authorities (the BCA) have been blocked from the scene by federal agents.
• The “CCW Holder” Defense: They have highlighted that Pretti was a licensed carry holder with no significant criminal record, directly challenging DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s characterization of him as a “violent domestic terrorist.”

2. Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center

As the legal arm of the GOC, this group is monitoring the case for potential civil rights violations.

• Legal Standing: They are looking into whether the use of lethal force was a violation of Pretti’s 2nd and 4th Amendment rights, particularly if video evidence confirms he was disarmed before the fatal shots were fired.
• Evidence Preservation: They have voiced support for the Hennepin County Attorney’s lawsuit to prevent DHS/CBP from destroying or removing evidence from the scene.

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3. Internal Community “Clash”

The shooting has triggered a debate within local “Law and Order” conservative circles in Minnesota:

Argument A (Pro-Federal)	Argument B (Constitutionalist/Local)
Focuses on the “loaded 9mm Sig P320” and the claim that Pretti “violently resisted” agents.	Focuses on Pretti’s status as a vetted nurse and the video showing he was disarmed before being shot.
Supports the “Metro Surge” as necessary for public safety and immigration control.	Views the surge as federal overreach that endangers local citizens, including legal gun owners.
Echoes Trump’s Truth Social posts calling the protesters “insurrectionists.”	Argues that if a legal gun owner can be killed while observing, no one is safe.

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4. Local Action Points

• The “Eat Street” Memorial: Local gun owners and residents have established a growing memorial at 26th and Nicollet (Eat Street), which has become a site for both mourning and protest.
• National Guard Tension: While Governor Walz has activated the National Guard, their role is to “protect the rights of Minnesotans to assemble,” placing them in a potential tactical standoff with the federal CBP/ICE agents.

“What we’ve seen is DHS and ICE shooting first, killing Americans, and not asking questions. There has to be an outside investigation.” — Rob Doar, Senior VP of the MN Gun Owners Caucus.