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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley criticized federal officials for two incidents this month that left two people dead.
The second incident was a Border Patrol-involved shooting Saturday that left a Minneapolis man dead. He was identified as Alex J. Pretti. He was shot and killed after allegedly confronting police during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in the south of the city.
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Charles Barkley stands in the second tee during the first round of the U.S. Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 11, 2025 in Stateline, Nevada. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
The shooting death came weeks after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good. DHS said Good was shot in self-defense after using her SUV in a way that posed a threat. DHS said the video showed Good interfering with ICE agents by parking his vehicle in the roadway in an apparent attempt to block federal vehicles.
“Coming back, I think her name was Renee Good, and today man, it’s just sad, man. It’s scary. … It’s going to end badly. It’s already ended badly twice. Somebody has to step up and be an adult,” Barkley said on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA.” “Two people died for no reason, and it’s just sad.”
The game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors was postponed due to the shooting.
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.
A federal agent fires a round of ammunition at protesters near the site where Alex Pretti was fatally shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026. (Tim Evans/Reuters)
EX-NBA STAR RIPS FEDERAL AGENTS AFTER SHOOTING IN MINNESOTA
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!”
