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Former NBA star Isaiah Thomas was outraged by the Border Patrol-involved shooting of a Minnesota man on Saturday.
Alex J. Pretti was identified as the 37-year-old Minneapolis man who was shot and killed after he allegedly confronted officers during a Department of Homeland Security operation on the city’s south side.
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Charlotte Hornets guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks to drive in during the first half against the Boston Celtics at the Spectrum Center on March 9, 2022. (Sam Sharpe/USA TODAY Sports)
Thomas was among those who criticized federal officials. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not appear to be involved in the shooting.
“6 guys beating the s— out of ONE person and then KILL him!! F— the ICE agents. 6 on one and you still shoot and kill someone. You got him numbered and decided to DAMMIT him like it was a video game and he can just get his life back smh,” he wrote on X.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against the Golden State Warriors was postponed in response to the incident.
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said at a press conference that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers conducted an operation early Saturday targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history including domestic violence to willful bodily harm, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid driver’s license.
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks on during the first half of Game Seven of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on May 15, 2017. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)
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Pretti allegedly approached Border Patrol agents while armed with a 9 mm 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 was “highly trained” and had served as a Border Patrol agent for eight years, according to Bovino.
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 did not help during the confrontation.
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“This is the gunslinger’s gun, loaded (with two more full magazines!) and ready to go – what’s this all about?” the president wrote in part. “Where are the local police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect the ICE officers? The mayor and the governor cut them off? They say many of these police were not allowed to do their jobs, that ICE had to protect itself – not an easy thing to do!”
