US Federal Agents Placed on Leave Following Minneapolis Homicide Investigation

Two US Federal Agents on Administrative Leave Following Fatal Shooting of Intensive Care Nurse

Two United States federal agents involved in the fatal shooting of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti during an immigration raid in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave. According to a statement from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), the two officers were on leave since Saturday.

The incident occurred during an immigration raid, where Pretti was shot multiple times after being forced to the ground by masked immigration officers. The shooting was captured on video. US officials stated that “standard protocol” was followed in placing the agents on administrative leave.

A preliminary investigation sent to members of the US Congress reports that a US Border Patrol agent initially opened fire on Pretti while he was on the ground, followed by a CBP officer who also fired. The killing has been widely condemned across the political aisle.

President Trump has shuffled the leadership of immigration agents deployed in Minneapolis, replacing Greg Bovino with Tom Homan. However, his signals regarding the ongoing immigration raids in Minneapolis have been mixed. On Tuesday, he stated that he wanted to “de-escalate” the crisis, but on Wednesday, warned Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey that he was “playing with fire” after Frey reiterated that his city would not help federal agents enforce immigration law.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests of 16 Minnesota “rioters” for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement. The president has sent thousands of federal officers to the city of Minneapolis and the surrounding state of Minnesota as part of an aggressive deportation policy.

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar stated that community members are afraid to go out due to the occupation in the city by ICE, citing concerns about businesses and constitutional rights being crumpled.

Source: Al Jazeera