A startling scene unfolded in St. Paul on Sunday: members of the Minnesota National Guard were observed distributing coffee and donuts to protesters demonstrating against ICE. Video footage revealed guardsmen, clad in bright yellow vests, offering refreshments from the back of a military vehicle, a gesture that immediately sparked questions and commentary.
One guardsman explained the action to a local news outlet as a deliberate effort to project “safety and security” amidst heightened tensions. This explanation followed a recent announcement from the Minnesota National Guard regarding the use of reflective vests during deployments in the Twin Cities – a measure intended to clearly differentiate them from other law enforcement agencies.
The unusual display occurred just one day after a fatal shooting involving a Border Patrol agent and 37-year-old Alex J. Pretti, a Minneapolis resident. Pretti was killed after allegedly confronting officers during a Department of Homeland Security operation in south Minneapolis, escalating already simmering unrest.
Initial reports from federal officials stated that Pretti had approached agents with a handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. However, this account is now being challenged by circulating bystander video and eyewitness testimonies, which cast doubt on the claim that Pretti posed an immediate threat when he was shot.
Pretti’s death arrived on the heels of another recent tragedy: the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, also 37, by an ICE officer. Good was killed after allegedly obstructing an operation in Minneapolis and driving toward the officer, further fueling public outrage and scrutiny of federal law enforcement tactics.
Following Good’s death, prominent Democratic leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, actively encouraged anti-ICE protests. This support, however, subsequently triggered a federal investigation into potential obstruction of law enforcement efforts.
Governor Walz responded to Pretti’s shooting with a direct appeal to President Trump, demanding the withdrawal of “3,000 untrained agents” from Minnesota. His statement, delivered with stark urgency, warned of further bloodshed: “before they kill another American in the street.”
President Trump acknowledged the escalating situation, confirming to a national newspaper that his administration was “reviewing everything” in light of the latest shooting. The events in Minneapolis are rapidly unfolding, leaving a community grappling with grief, anger, and a growing demand for accountability.
