A dramatic CNN broadcast from Minneapolis was abruptly terminated on Saturday after correspondent Sara Sidner was overcome by tear gas during live coverage of protests that erupted following a fatal shooting by federal agents.
Live Broadcast Descends Into Chaos
Anchor Fredricka Whitfield attempted to hand over to Sidner during the network's Saturday broadcast, but the screen quickly filled with smoke as Sidner began coughing and fighting for breath. The camera pointed upward, becoming blurred as the situation deteriorated.
'I'm trying to breathe. Hold on,' Sidner could be heard saying through the chaos before the feed was cut.
Whitfield quickly pulled away from the live shot, explaining the gravity of the situation to viewers. 'You know what, it's very difficult to speak when you're in the middle of this,' Whitfield said. 'I was told that I should toss to her, but I feel badly right now because she's in the middle of trauma being in the middle of all of this tear gas. This is what happens. You can't speak. You can barely breathe. If you're lucky you can swallow some water, at least remove yourself from the situation.'
Reporter Takes Refuge in Donut Shop
Sidner later confirmed on social media that she had been directly affected by the tear gas and revealed she had taken refuge inside a nearby donut shop to recover from the exposure. The correspondent shared her experience on Instagram, providing firsthand details about the intensity of the situation on the ground.
Fatal Shooting Sparks Protests
The chaotic scene unfolded after Border Patrol agents fatally shot a 37-year-old man during a law enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The incident, which was captured on video, sparked hours of protests and clashes with police and federal agents.
The shooting occurred just after 9am near Glam Doll Donuts at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Authorities described the incident as involving a struggle with multiple federal agents.
Video from the scene shows agents wrestling the man to the ground before one agent fires multiple shots into his chest. The agent then retreats as other officers scatter from the immediate area.
Victim Identified as Local Resident
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara identified the victim as a 37-year-old white US citizen who lived in Minneapolis. Local media later identified him as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a registered nurse and Minnesota resident.
O'Hara noted the man's only known prior contact with police involved parking violations and confirmed he was believed to have had a permit to carry a firearm. Minnesota law permits registered holders to openly carry handguns in public spaces.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
The Department of Homeland Security provided a different account, stating the man was armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and two magazines, with the firearm later recovered by federal authorities. DHS claimed officers attempted to disarm the man after he approached them with the weapon and 'violently resisted,' prompting what the department described as 'defensive shots.'
Federal officials said the shooting occurred during what began as a 'targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault,' though city officials have questioned the federal government's actions and authority at the scene.
Local Police Challenge Federal Authority
Chief O'Hara revealed that ICE agents attempted to have local police leave the area, a request he refused. The police chief insisted that Minneapolis police preserve the scene for evidence collection, creating tension between local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Protests Escalate Across Minneapolis
As news of the shooting spread, hundreds of protesters gathered near the scene, with authorities later declaring an unlawful assembly. According to DHS and local officials, the protest escalated with dumpsters and restaurant furniture being used to block streets, at least two small fires being set, and officers deploying tear gas, flash-bangs, and pepper spray to manage the crowd.
Witnesses were transported to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, and Minnesota State Patrol troopers assisted with crowd control as the situation developed throughout the day.
Political Leaders Condemn Federal Actions
City and state leaders sharply criticized the federal operation, with Mayor Jacob Frey calling the Trump administration's immigration crackdown an 'invasion' by masked agents acting with impunity. Frey urged President Donald Trump to remove federal agents from Minneapolis entirely.
Governor Tim Walz said he had spoken with the White House and demanded an end to the operation, calling it 'sickening' in his public statements. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Ilhan Omar also issued statements condemning federal immigration enforcement tactics, with Omar describing the shooting as 'an execution by immigration enforcement.'
Investigation Launched Into Shooting
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty confirmed her office is working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to coordinate a state response and investigate the shooting. She also launched a portal for the public to submit video and other evidence related to the incident, encouraging community participation in the investigation.
Pattern of Federal Violence Emerges
The killing marks the third shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks, raising serious questions about federal law enforcement activity in the city. On January 7, an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, and about a week later another federal agent shot and wounded a man during a separate enforcement action.
This pattern of incidents has intensified scrutiny of federal operations in Minneapolis, with local officials and community leaders calling for greater accountability and transparency in federal law enforcement activities within their jurisdiction.
