Exclusive Report: Tear Gas Deployed in Minneapolis After ICE Agents Fatally Shoot Man
In the aftermath of a fatal shooting by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis this morning, a scene of profound tension and chaos unfolded on a quiet neighbourhood street. Our reporter was present among hundreds of residents when ICE agents responded to escalating protests by throwing tear gas canisters into the crowd, creating a warzone-like atmosphere.
A City on Edge Following Third Fatal Shooting
The incident occurred just hours after an estimated 50,000 people had taken to the streets of Minneapolis chanting "ICE out" in widespread demonstrations. At approximately 9am US time (2pm UK time), 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex Jeffrey Pretti was fatally shot by ICE agents. By 10.20am, when our reporter arrived at the intersection of 27th Avenue and Nicollet Street, hundreds of neighbours had already gathered behind yellow police tape, their voices raised in anguish and anger.
One woman could be heard screaming repeatedly: "What have you done, what have you done?" as the reality of the situation settled over the crowd. This marks the third fatal shooting by federal agents in the city, deepening existing tensions between immigration authorities and the local community.
Rapid Escalation and Military-Style Response
Within minutes of our reporter's arrival, the number of ICE agents inside the cordoned-off area more than doubled, appearing suddenly as if from nowhere. Hundreds of protesters stood on the opposite side of the yellow tape, directing slurs, insults, and demands for ICE to leave Minnesota at the heavily armed agents.
One bystander compared the scene to the dystopian horror film The Purge, while his friend quickly corrected him, noting this was actually far more terrifying because "only one side has weapons." The body of the shooting victim, who had been struck multiple times in the chest, had been removed just minutes earlier after CPR attempts proved unsuccessful.
From Grief to Fury: The Crowd's Transformation
As news reports confirmed the man's death, word spread rapidly through the gathered crowd, transforming grief into raw fury. Chants grew louder and tensions reached new heights. In one particularly dramatic moment, an ICE agent chased a man down the street at high speed, though it remained unclear what had provoked the pursuit. The crowd cheered as the agent failed to catch his target.
This brief moment of celebration turned horrifying when a protester threw a snowball toward the cluster of ICE agents. The response was immediate and disproportionate: agents began launching tear-gas canisters directly into the sea of unarmed bystanders.
Chemical Warfare on City Streets
Thick clouds of white smoke suddenly filled the air, sending hundreds of people running in every direction. The loud bangs of exploding canisters grew closer as agents continued to throw them toward fleeing protesters. In the confusion and limited visibility, some feared the agents had opened fire on the crowded area—a terrifying possibility that seemed plausible under the war-like conditions.
One man shouted instructions to "cover your face" while others screamed to "clear the streets." The palpable hatred emanating from the federal agents matched the fear spreading through the unarmed crowd. Protest signs reading "Murder by nazis" reflected the depth of anger toward immigration authorities.
Solidarity Amidst the Chaos
The only glimmer of hope in this horrifying situation emerged from the remarkable solidarity displayed by Minneapolis residents. Even as hundreds fled the chemical agents pursuing them through the air, they continued to look out for one another. When our reporter stumbled and fell while trying to cross a snow bank, with hundreds of people stampeding just inches behind, a complete stranger immediately helped her up and uttered five chilling words: "You have to keep going."
This sentiment appears to be spreading throughout Minnesota communities. Residents are growing increasingly tired and angry, with their famous culture of kindness wearing thin under persistent pressure. Yet they remain united by a shared determination: no matter how dire the situation becomes, they will not give up and they will not back down.
The events in Minneapolis today represent a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between federal immigration authorities and local communities. As tear gas clears from the streets, the questions remain: how did a quiet neighbourhood intersection become a warzone, and what comes next for a city pushed to its breaking point?
