Clashes broke out in Minneapolis on Saturday as large crowds confronted federal agents following the fatal shooting of a man authorities say attempted to interfere in the arrest of a criminal migrant, plunging parts of the city into chaos.
The unrest turned violent, leaving at least one federal officer seriously injured. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said a Homeland Security agent had a finger bitten off during the confrontation, sharing images of a distraught protester and the severed finger.
“In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officer’s finger,” she posted on X, adding, “He will lose his finger.”
The disturbances unfolded as police and federal agents moved to secure the area around West 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis on Saturday morning, where Alex Jeffrey Pretti was shot and killed earlier in the day.
As word of the shooting spread, demonstrators poured into the streets, taunting masked federal agents. Some blew piercing whistles while officers responded with repeated rounds of tear gas in an effort to push the crowd back.
Protesters hurled trash cans onto an armored vehicle and threw other objects, shouting profanities at armed officers.
“About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement on the scene, crowd control measures were deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement after the incident.
Amid the escalating unrest, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered the National Guard to assist in securing the Whipple Federal Building, which immigration authorities have used as a detention facility, citing concerns “due to the potential for continuing and growing conflict.”
“We recognize that there’s a lot of anger and a lot of questions around what has happened, but we need people to remain peaceful. In the area, we have an unlawful assembly at this time,” said Minneapolis Police Chief O’Hara.
Pretti, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after authorities alleged he brandished a weapon while agents were attempting to arrest Jose Huerta-Chuma, whom DHS said has a criminal history that includes domestic violence.
As confrontations played out along streets lined with boutique donut shops and ethnic eateries, at least one demonstrator was seen carrying an upside-down American flag.
Federal agents, many outfitted with gas masks, worked to reestablish police lines after barricades and tape were torn down at nearby intersections, advancing block by block in an attempt to restore order.
President Trump and Gov. Walz exchanged sharp criticism, with Trump posting on Truth Social that Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey were “inciting insurrection with their pompous, dangerous and arrogant rhetoric!” Walz, for his part, accused federal authorities of inflaming the situation.
“We know that the potential to further inflame tensions is high. And to Minnesotans, there’s a difference. We want calm and peace and normalcy back to our lives. They want chaos,” he said. He called on Trump to “remove this force from Minnesota.”
“We recognize that there’s a lot of anger and a lot of questions around what has happened, but we need people to remain peaceful. In the area, we have an unlawful assembly at this time,” said Minneapolis Police Chief O’Hara.
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt formally requested National Guard assistance to protect the Whipple Federal Building “ “due to the potential for continuing and growing conflict related to today’s federal agent-involved shooting.” Walz later confirmed that Guard units had been activated in response.
If “they want chaos,” Walz, why are you giving it to them? If you don’t want chaos then tell those crazy paid actorvists to stop poking the bears.
Office will lose a finger, and yet, they have to treat those 2-legged animals with silk gloves.