Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered the activation of the state’s National Guard following the fatal shooting of an armed man in Minneapolis, an incident that occurred as federal agents were attempting to arrest a migrant and has since sparked sharp criticism from state leaders.
Officials have not disclosed how many Guard members are being deployed. National Guard Major Gen. Shawn Menke said the contingent would be “adequate for this request,” referring to assistance sought by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
Speaking publicly after the incident, Walz sharply criticized the Trump administration and said Minnesota authorities would conduct their own investigation into the shooting death of Alex Jeffrey Pretti.
Federal officials said Pretti, 37, was shot after allegedly brandishing a weapon while Customs and Border Patrol agents were attempting to take a criminal migrant into custody outside a donut shop.
“The federal government cannot be trusted to handle this investigation,” Walz said during a news conference.
“They killed a man, created chaos, pushed down protesters, threw gas indiscriminately and then left the scene and then we’re left to clean up,” the governor alleged.
“Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word on this,” he said, as he demanded that President Trump pull federal agents out of the state.
“I call on you once again: remove this force from Minnesota,” Walz said.
