Mike Pence Calls for Investigation into Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti
On Monday, former Vice President Mike Pence described the video footage of the shooting death of Alex Pretti in Minnesota as “deeply troubling,” urging a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
“In the wake of the tragic shooting that claimed the life of Alex Pretti this weekend, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the citizens of Minneapolis, and the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers serving there,” Pence stated in a post on X. He emphasized the necessity of a “full and transparent investigation” into the officer-involved shooting.
Pretti, a 37-year-old resident of Minneapolis, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. This incident occurred just two miles from the location where Renee Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on January 7, sparking a contentious dialogue between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials amidst growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics.
In the aftermath of Pretti’s death, protests have surged throughout Minnesota, reflecting public outrage.
State leaders have alleged that federal officials have obstructed their involvement in the investigation, while administration officials contend that Minnesota authorities have been uncooperative regarding immigration enforcement and deportations.
In light of these tensions, Pence has called for unified law enforcement efforts to address community concerns while also ensuring that dangerous illegal individuals are apprehended. “The focus now should be to bring together law enforcement at every level to address the concerns in the community even while ensuring that dangerous illegal aliens are apprehended and no longer a threat to families in Minneapolis,” he asserted.
Pence’s remarks position him among a growing number of high-profile Republicans who are voicing apprehensions about the situation in Minnesota, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the shooting.
Some have challenged the administration’s rationale that Pretti’s possession of a firearm provides adequate justification for his killing, an argument Pence reiterated. “The American people deserve to have safe streets, our laws enforced, and our constitutional rights of Freedom of Speech, peaceable assembly, and the right to keep and bear Arms respected and preserved all at the same time,” Pence articulated. “That’s how Law and Order and Freedom work together in America.”
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