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Former NBA star Isaiah Thomas was furious over the Border Patrol-involved 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 police during a Department of Homeland Security operation on the city’s south side.
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Charlotte Hornets guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks to jump in the first half 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 do not appear to be involved in the shooting.
“6 guys beat a person up then KILLED him!! F— ICE agents. 6 to one and you still shoot and kill someone. Y’all outnumbered him and decided to KILL him like it’s a video game and he can get his life back smh,” he wrote on X.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against the Golden State Warriors was postponed in response to the incident.
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said during a news conference that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement agents were conducting an operation early Saturday targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history including assault, intentional bodily harm, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license.
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks on during the first half in game seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA playoffs against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on May 15, 2017. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)
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Pretti allegedly approached Border Patrol agents while armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and two magazines during the operation, according to DHS.
State officials said Pretti had a lawful permit to carry (PTC).
The officer involved in the shooting, Bovino said, was “highly trained” and had served as a Border Patrol agent for eight years.
DHS is leading the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from the FBI.
President Donald Trump responded to the shooting on Truth Social, questioning why local police didn’t help during the confrontation.
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“It’s the shooter’s gun, loaded (with two extra full magazines!) and ready to go. What is it?” » the president wrote in part. “Where are the local police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE agents? Did the mayor and governor call them out? It says many of these officers weren’t allowed to do their jobs, that ICE had to protect themselves – that’s not an easy thing to do!”
