National Guard activated in Minneapolis after federal agents kill second U.S. citizen

National Guard activated in Minneapolis after federal agents kill second U.S. citizen
Minnesota National Guard outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 25, 2026.
Reuters

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the state’s National Guard following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, an incident that has triggered protests and intensified tensions between state and federal authorities.

The shooting, which took place on Saturday, led to hundreds of protesters gathering in a Minneapolis neighbourhood to confront armed and masked federal agents. Demonstrators accused authorities of excessive force, as officers deployed tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse crowds.

The victim was identified as Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse. Protests quickly spread beyond Minnesota, with demonstrations also reported in New York, Washington DC and San Francisco, reflecting growing national anger over federal enforcement actions.

The incident marked the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis this month, further fuelling criticism from local leaders and community groups. It has also deepened friction between state officials and the Trump administration, following the killing of another U.S. citizen, Renee Good, on January 7.

Governor Walz said the National Guard was activated to help maintain public safety as protests escalated, while emphasising the need to protect the right to peaceful demonstration amid rising unrest.

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