Border Patrol-involved shooting sparks reaction from former NBA star
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Former NBA star Isaiah Thomas was furious about the Border Patrol shooting of a Minnesota man on Saturday.
Alex J. Pretti has been identified as the 37-year-old Minneapolis man who was shot and killed after allegedly confronting officers during a Department of Homeland Security operation in the south side of the city.
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Charlotte Hornets guard Isaiah Thomas (4) plans to enter the game at halftime against the Boston Celtics at Spectrum Center on March 9, 2022. (Sam Sharpe/USA TODAY Sports)
Thomas was among those who criticized federal officials. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials appeared not to be involved in the attack.
“6 guys beat s— ONE person and then KILLS him!! F— ICE agents. 6 against 6 and you still get to shoot and kill someone. You counted him out and decided to KILL him like it was a video game and he can get his life back, smh,” she wrote to X.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against the Golden State Warriors was postponed in response to the incident.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement conducted an operation early Saturday targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history that includes domestic assault, intentional shooting, infliction of bodily harm, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid driver’s license, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said at a news conference.
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) watches the first half of game seven of the 2017 NBA Playoffs second round against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on May 15, 2017. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)
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According to DHS, Pretti allegedly approached Border Patrol agents during the operation while armed with a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol and two magazines.
State officials said Pretti had a legal Permit to Carry (PTC).
The officer involved in the shooting was “highly trained” and had been a Border Patrol agent for eight years, according to Bovino.
DHS is leading the investigation into the shooting with assistance from the FBI.
President Donald Trump responded to the shooting at Truth Social, questioning why local police did not assist during the shooting.
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“This gunman has his gun loaded (with the added bonus of two loaded magazines!) and ready to go – What does all this mean?” the president wrote in part. “Where are the Local Police? Why aren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and Governor canceled them. Many of these Officers are not allowed to do their job, ICE has to protect them – Not an easy thing to do!”
Fox News’ Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.
