Arizona politicians react to second fatal shooting involving federal officers in Minneapolis

PHOENIX — Arizona politicians shared their reactions on Saturday to the second fatal shooting involving federal officers in Minneapolis.

According to The Associated Press, federal immigration officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man, later identified as Alex Pretti. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said information about what led up to the shooting was limited.

In bystander videos of the shooting that emerged soon after, Pretti is seen with a phone in his hand but none appears to show him with a visible weapon.

However, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that federal officers were conducting an operation and fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and “violently resisted” when officers tried to disarm him.

O’Hara said police believe the man was a “lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.”

In response to the deadly shooting, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs posted to X calling for “a full investigation and accountability” for what she described as a “horrifying killing by federal agents.”

She also demanded that the violence be brought to an end.

What did other Arizona politicians have to say about the Minneapolis shooting?

Arizona U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego shared what appears to be a video of the incident, claiming that federal officers shot the man after he was already lying motionless on the ground. He described the fatal shooting as “despicable and completely avoidable” and demanded that ICE, who he called the “lawless goon squad,” be removed from communities.

U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari called the shooting “an outright execution by ICE,” adding that Democratic and Republican senators “with a conscience” need to vote no on the DHS funding bill.

There was another call to action by U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, who expressed his outrage at the “lawless, reckless actions of federal officials” before stating that Congress not only has the power but also the responsibility to put an end to “this chaos.”

In addition, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly said the Trump administration’s actions aren’t making communities safer but instead “creating chaos in the streets.”

U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva questioned how many more people had to die before President Donald Trump would put an end to the “brutal, unchecked campaign of terror.” She emphasized that she is tired of watching lives get cut short while Washington shrugs.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs responded to a DHS’ post asking people to “pray for the protection of our law enforcement officers.”

President Donald Trump weighed in with a Truth Social post where he lashed out at Minnesota’s governor and the Minneapolis mayor.

Trump also shared images of the gun that immigration officials said was recovered and said: “What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers?”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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