Last weekend, federal immigration enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, marking the second such killing in that US city this month.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, federal officials reportedly blocked state officials from accessing the scene, raising concerns that the federal government is not acting in good faith to ensure an independent and comprehensive investigation.
The fatal shooting follows weeks of violent and abusive immigration enforcement actions throughout Minneapolis.
US Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive-care nurse and US citizen, at around 9 a.m. on January 24. Pretti appeared to be observing and filming agents minutes before they shoved him, sprayed him in the face with a chemical agent, beat him with a metal canister, and fatally shot him.
Human Rights Watch analyzed and verified eight videos taken from different angles showing Pretti before, during, and after the shooting.
>> Read our analysis
The killing comes two and a half weeks after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer killed 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis, which HRW also determined was unjustifiable.
Both killings come amid a surge of federal agents to Minnesota, as part of abusive immigration enforcement operations by the Trump administration that have spread fear and sparked widespread protest in communities across the United States.
Urgent action is needed. Until then, the unchecked actions of these agencies will continue to endanger residents, with devastating consequences.
