By Wellington Jopelo
A senior US Border Patrol commander has been removed from his role after a fatal shooting during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis triggered public outrage and protests.
The incident happened on Saturday when Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents during an enforcement action in the city. Pretti was well known in his community and worked at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he cared for critically ill patients.
Initial official statements claimed Pretti posed a danger to officers. However, videos shared online and witness accounts later showed that he was unarmed and appeared to be recording the operation on his phone when he was shot. The footage fueled anger and deepened mistrust toward federal authorities.
As pressure mounted, Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who led the operation and publicly defended the tactics used, was removed from his position overseeing activities in Minneapolis and reassigned elsewhere. His comments after the shooting were widely criticised by city leaders and civil rights groups.
The two agents involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave while investigations continue. Federal authorities say reviews are underway to determine whether the use of force followed standard procedures.
The shooting has sparked days of protests across Minneapolis, with residents demanding accountability and calling for an end to aggressive federal immigration operations in the city. Vigils have also been held to honour Pretti, with friends and colleagues describing him as calm, caring and dedicated to helping others.
Minnesota state officials and Minneapolis city leaders have raised concerns about the presence and conduct of federal agents, warning that such operations increase fear and tension in local communities. Discussions are ongoing between state and federal authorities over the future of enforcement actions in the area.
For many residents, Pretti’s death has become a symbol of wider concerns about policing, transparency and the use of deadly force questions that continue to dominate public debate as investigations move forward.