Man killed by federal agent in Minneapolis had Milwaukee ties; dozens participate in anti-ICE protest in West Allis
CBS 58 WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) – Dozens rallied in West Allis Sunday afternoon holding another anti-ICE protest in response to yesterday's deadly shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis.
Alex Pretti, 37, was identified by family as the victim in the deadly shooting. According to organizers of Riverwest24, Pretti was a rider in their day-long bike ride.
In Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood in front of Falcon Bowl on Saturday, members of the Riverwest24 held a candlelight vigil for Pretti and the City of Minneapolis.
Candlelight vigil held by members of the Riverwest24 Saturday, Jan. 24.
The Associated Press reported that Pretti's family says he was a U.S. citizen born in Illinois and grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from Green Bay High School.
Mara Grigg attended Sunday’s protest in West Allis. She said she is fearful of ICE if they continue their enforcement.
"Minneapolis is going to be the start. It’s not the only city that’s going to have this issue,” Grigg said. “It’s not the only city that has ICE. Certainly, there are lots of cities, including us, that have them. But the kind of ramp up in violence I think is just awful.”
As protesters gathered in Minneapolis after the shooting, in Milwaukee people also rallied Saturday afternoon for an emergency protest at Red Arrow Park.
Protesters gathered in Red Arrow Park for emergency protest Saturday afternoon, Jan. 24.
Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich released a statement Saturday after the shooting, hoping that a full and transparent investigation will be conducted into the shooting.
After the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security released a statement stating that officers were conducting an operation against an illegal immigrant wanted for violent assault. DHS states that an individual approached agents with a handgun.
According to DHS, the agents attempted to disarm the individual, but the individual violently resisted and "fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots," stated DHS.
DHS says they recovered two magazines at the scene, claiming that the individual wanted to do "maximum damage and massacre law enforcement."
DHS states that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
This marks the second deadly shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis within a month.
