A Minneapolis man identifying with the “Antifa” movement issued a fervent call for armed confrontation following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent. He described immigration officials as “mass murderers” and “fascist occupiers,” igniting a volatile situation with his online rhetoric.
Kyle Wagner, who openly admits to being a “master-hate-baiter,” voiced his demands in a series of Instagram videos. His message resonated with a sense of urgency and fear, acknowledging the anxieties of those whose loved ones might answer his call to action.
Wagner’s words painted a stark picture: a desperate need for “good men in the streets, armed and ready to protect innocent people.” He argued that inaction would only lead to further bloodshed, framing the situation as a critical turning point – “the iron front.”
Acknowledging his own inability to legally possess a firearm, Wagner directly urged those who could to mobilize. He escalated the tension with provocative language, directly confronting immigration officials and suggesting a removal of restraint.
The former chair of the Minneapolis GOP, Shawn Holster, offered a contrasting perspective, identifying Wagner as a symptom of a larger problem. He believes the city’s tensions are fueled by “wannabe influencers” who thrive on exacerbating conflict.
Holster argued that removing these individuals would significantly reduce the unrest in Minneapolis, suggesting their influence is disproportionately disruptive. He sees them as the primary source of the city’s current challenges.
Wagner’s initial videos, including one declaring “actual guerrilla war in our streets,” were reportedly removed from Instagram. This action followed a series of events involving confrontations between anti-ICE protesters and federal agents.
The shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, while recording federal officers in Minneapolis, served as the immediate catalyst for Wagner’s call to arms. Initial reports stated Pretti was armed and resisted disarming, but eyewitness accounts are challenging this narrative.
The circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death are under review, with President Trump stating his administration is “reviewing everything” to determine the facts. He acknowledged his aversion to shootings but also highlighted the presence of a loaded firearm.
This incident occurred alongside the death of another anti-ICE activist, Renee Nicole Good, killed by federal immigration agents earlier this month. These events have created a climate of heightened tension and distrust.
The unfolding situation underscores a deep divide and raises critical questions about the use of force, the role of social media in inciting conflict, and the future of protests against immigration policies.
