Senator Cassidy urges investigation after Border Patrol agent fatally shoots Minneapolis man

Investigation Called After Armed Man Shot in Minneapolis

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) expressed his concern on Saturday regarding a recent incident in Minneapolis, describing it as “incredibly disturbing.” He urged for a thorough investigation following the shooting of Alex J. Preti, a 37-year-old man, who was killed by Border Patrol agents during a Homeland Security operation.

Preti reportedly confronted officers while armed. Cassidy stated on X, “The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security is at stake. A full joint federal and state investigation is needed.” He added, “I think we can trust the American people to tell us the truth.”

Meanwhile, the comments from Cassidy seem to contrast with those of fellow Republicans, including President Donald Trump. In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested the federal agents had to act in self-defense due to a lack of local police support. He questioned the absence of police presence, stating, “This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (and two more magazines!) and ready to go. Where are the local police?” Trump noted that some officers may not have been permitted to perform their duties, leading ICE agents to feel they had to protect themselves.

Trump had recently expressed his support for U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow if she decides to run against Cassidy in the Republican primary, which she announced shortly thereafter.

Noem Labels Shooting an Act of Domestic Terrorism

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, addressed the situation during a press conference, sharing that the incident was part of a “targeted operation” aimed at an undocumented immigrant with a history of violence. Preti allegedly approached a Border Patrol agent while wielding a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Noem noted, “Officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently. Fearing for his life and the lives of his fellow officers, the officer fired a defensive shot.”

Noem further disclosed that Preti was armed with two ammunition magazines and lacked identification. She conveyed that this situation seemed aimed at causing serious harm to law enforcement.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) spoke out at a press conference, insisting that ICE operations in Minnesota needed to cease, attributing the blame to the Trump administration. She expressed past concerns that such violence would surface, stating, “I personally warned them that there would be more deaths… This has to stop.”

In response, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt commented, stating that federal employees shouldn’t be removed from Minnesota and that the focus should be on removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens.

Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance attributed the recent unrest in Minneapolis to “far-left agitators,” claiming it resulted in a chaotic environment unique to that area.