Minnesota authorities assured they had been ‘clear’ about their desire to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to probe Alex Pretti’s death, as further protests erupted in Minneapolis.
The state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it ‘remains committed’ to collaborating with the federal agencies ‘to identify the best path forward and investigate’ Pretti’s fatal shooting on January 24.
Those plans to work together had not yet been finalized, according to a statement issued Friday.
‘The BCA has been clear from the day of the shooting about its desire to work cooperatively with the FBI on cases like this as the agency has in the past,’ the statement read.
Agency leaders have ‘directly’ told the FBI this. An exact update was not provided on those conversations, though the talks will continue.
Local authorities said they collected witness statements, physical evidence and video footage pertaining to Pretti’s fatal shooting.
‘A cooperative approach helps ensure Minnesotans can trust the outcome of this review,’ said Drew Evans, the agency’s superintendent.
The update into Pretti’s death was provided as nearly a thousand demonstrators took to the streets in Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday in Minneapolis to voice their opposition at the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown
At least 42 people were arrested after police issued a dispersal order at the Whipple Federal Building in St. Paul
Police claimed that some demonstrators engaged in ‘unlawful behavior’ that included throwing ice chunks and damaging property
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Whipple Federal Building in St. Paul, which contains an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.
Some demonstrators ‘engaged in unlawful behavior,’ the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said.
That included property damage, as well as throwing ice chunks.
A deputy was hit in the head and a police car’s windshield was broken, according to law enforcement.
‘This is not the first time our vehicles have been damaged at this location,’ police added.
Protesters also threw bottles and sex toys at the police officers patrolling the building.
An unlawful assembly was also declared at the building, with demonstrators told to disperse immediately or face further consequences.
At least 42 people were arrested, according to KSTP.
No further details were immediately released about their identities or if any charges were brought against them.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it ‘remains committed’ to working with the FBI and DOJ to investigate Alex Pretti’s fatal shooting on January 24
Flowers and items were left at a memorial for Pretti. Local agency leaders said they had been ‘clear’ about their ‘desire to work cooperatively with the FBI’ on his death investigation
Footage from the chaotic scene showed law enforcement warning alleged offenders to remain still.
‘You are under arrest,’ police were heard saying. ‘Be seated where you are and follow the directions of officers.’
Dozens of protesters ran away from the scene, while others were detained while laying stomach-down with their arms placed behind their backs.
Another clip from the protest captured the moment a woman was brought to the ground by an officer.
She screamed nonstop as she was detained and other demonstrators gathered around her.
The sheriff’s office said it asked for help from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to deal with the protest.
Troopers from the State Patrol had crowd-control munitions, as well as batons and zip ties.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office for comment on the arrests.
Saturday’s protests happened on the one month anniversary of Renee Good’s death. Good, 37, was shot dead by ICE agent Jonathan Ross
Posters were seen in Minneapolis with images of Good and Pretti with the tagline ‘Murdered by ICE’
Saturday’s demonstrations marked the one month anniversary of the fatal shooting of Renee Good, 37, who died at the hands of ICE agent Jonathan Ross.
Good’s wife, Becca Good, issued a statement Saturday saying that the immigration crackdown was hurting people in Minneapolis.
‘You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine,’ she said in the statement.
‘They are neighbors, friends, co-workers, classmates. And we must also know their names. Because this shouldn’t happen to anyone.’
Good was killed about a mile from where Pretti, 37, was shot dead by a federal officer in Minneapolis.
Pretti was captured filming agents with his device as they arrested a female protester, before he was suddenly tackled to the ground.
Footage suggested that an officer removed Pretti’s weapon from his waistband and walked away with it moments before he was killed.