UK Prime Minister Expresses Concern Over Fatal Minneapolis Shooting by US Federal Officers
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly described the fatal shooting of an American man by federal officers in Minneapolis as "concerning" during his official travel to China. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, involved the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, during a protest in the Minnesota city.
Details of the Controversial Shooting Incident
Multiple videos circulating online show US immigration officers opening fire on Pretti while he was on the ground. According to reports, Pretti was carrying a firearm for which he held a valid permit, though none of the available footage shows him holding the weapon at the moment of the shooting. "I haven't seen all of the details, but what I have seen is obviously concerning," Starmer told journalists accompanying him on his diplomatic mission.
The Prime Minister elaborated further, stating "I don't think anybody could see some of the footage and not say it's concerning, but I'm not claiming to have seen all the footage and all the detail, but of what I have seen, I'd say it's concerning." His comments come amid escalating tensions in Minneapolis related to enforcement actions by masked and heavily armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents.
Bipartisan Condemnation and Growing Protests
The shooting has triggered significant bipartisan condemnation across the United States and sparked renewed protests in Minneapolis. This incident represents the second fatal shooting involving federal officers in the city within three weeks. On January 7, Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was similarly shot and killed by an ICE agent.
Following public outrage over Pretti's death and initial statements from his administration that appeared to blame the victim, US President Donald Trump announced he would "de-escalate a little bit" in Minneapolis. The President has since engaged in discussions with local Democratic officials, and reports indicate that some of the 3,000 federal agents deployed to the city are expected to withdraw in the near future.
International Attention on US Law Enforcement Practices
Starmer's comments highlight the international attention now focused on US law enforcement practices, particularly regarding immigration enforcement operations. The British leader's remarks during his China visit underscore how domestic US incidents can quickly gain global significance and diplomatic attention.
The Minneapolis shooting continues to generate debate about appropriate use of force by federal officers, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding Pretti's death given the available video evidence and his legal firearm permit status.
