01/26/2026
CAIR-MN, Community Leaders Call for State and Local Investigation Into Federal Shooting Death of Alex Pretti
MINNEAPOLIS — Community leaders and civil rights advocates are calling for state and local investigations into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis, raising concerns about the use of force and the role of federal agencies operating in the city.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), joined by community organizations and faith leaders, will hold a news conference Monday, January 26, at 12:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County Government Center to demand independent probes by state and local authorities.
Video footage circulating publicly shows Pretti being shot after attempting to intervene when a woman was shoved to the ground by federal officers. Multiple video angles appear to show that Pretti did not touch his firearm, which witnesses say he was carrying legally. Footage reportedly shows an officer removing the weapon from a holster on Pretti’s back belt moments before he was shot repeatedly while lying motionless on the ground.
Despite the video evidence, officials from the Trump administration have publicly labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” a claim CAIR-MN and other advocates say is unfounded and inflammatory.
On Sunday, CAIR’s national office and CAIR-MN called on Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to direct local law enforcement to investigate the shooting. The organizations also renewed calls for the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from Minnesota, citing repeated incidents involving deadly force.
Earlier this month, CAIR-MN issued a similar demand for an independent and transparent investigation following the ICE-involved fatal shooting of Renee Good, also in Minneapolis.
CAIR-MN leaders say the pattern of federal involvement in fatal encounters underscores the need for accountability, transparency, and local oversight.
CAIR-MN is Minnesota’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, working to protect civil liberties, promote justice, and empower American Muslims while fostering greater understanding across communities.
The news conference will be livestreamed on CAIR-MN’s page.
