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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley criticized federal officials over two incidents this month that left two people dead.
The second incident was a Border Patrol-involved shooting Saturday that left a Minneapolis man dead. He was identified as Alex J. Pretti. He was shot and killed after he allegedly confronted officers during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in the south side of the city.
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Charles Barkley stands in the second tee box during the first round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 11, 2025 in Stateline, Nevada. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
The shooting came a few weeks after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good. DHS said Good was shot in self-defense after she used her SUV in a manner that posed a threat. DHS said the video showed Good interfering with ICE officers by parking her vehicle in the roadway in an apparent attempt to block federal vehicles.
“Going back to, I think her name was Renee Good, and today, man, it’s just sad, man. It’s scary. … It ends badly. It’s already ended badly twice. Somebody’s got to step up and grow up,” Barkley said on “Inside the NBA” on ESPN. “Two people have died for no reason and it’s just sad.”
The game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors was postponed due to the shooting.
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.
A federal agent fires a round of ammunition at protesters near the site where Alex Pretti was fatally shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026. (Tim Evans/Reuters)
EX-NBA STAR TORES FEDERAL AGENTS AFTER MINNESOTA SHOOTING
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!”
