Protesters STORM Minnesota Hotel in Apparent Hunt for ICE Agents After Alex Pretti Shooting
In a dramatic escalation of unrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, hundreds of protesters attempted to storm a hotel believed to be housing federal immigration agents a day after the fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol officer. The chaotic scene outside the Home2 Suites by Hilton Hotel — near the University of Minnesota — quickly turned violent, drawing national attention and raising deep questions about immigration enforcement, use of force, and community tensions.
A Flashpoint Following a Fatal Shooting
The unrest erupted on Sunday evening, following widespread outrage over Pretti’s death during a federal immigration enforcement operation on January 24, 2026. Pretti, who was protesting federal immigration tactics at the time, was shot by a Border Patrol agent — an incident that sparked protests across the city and drew scrutiny from civil rights groups and politicians alike.
Protesters gathered outside the hotel believing that federal agents involved in the enforcement activities — particularly those tied to Operation Metro Surge, a large‑scale immigration crackdown — were staying there. Fueled by anger over Pretti’s killing and prior encounters between demonstrators and federal officers, demonstrators demanded to confront the agents directly.
Chaos Outside the Hotel
Footage from the scene showed a crowd of demonstrators growing increasingly agitated:
Protesters banged on trash cans and bells, shouted anti‑ICE slogans, and spray‑painted graffiti on the hotel exterior, including messages like “ICE out of MPLS.”
Some tried to push into the hotel lobby, where guests and staff were forced to barricade entrances using vending machines amid the chaos.
Windows were smashed, property was defaced, and objects were hurled in an attempt to break into the building.
The demonstration quickly escalated beyond a peaceful protest, with chants, strobe lights, and loud noise being used by the crowd to intimidate and pressure those inside.
Law Enforcement Response
Law enforcement agencies, including the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol, were called in to help control the crowded and increasingly volatile scene. Assistance from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was also requested due to the level of property damage and unrest.
As the situation escalated, federal agents — reportedly acting without full coordination with local authorities — deployed chemical irritants such as tear gas and flash‑bang devices to disperse the crowd and prevent further attempts to enter the hotel.
At least two protesters were arrested, and a police officer was seen injured during the confrontations. Some federal agents were also reported to have been wounded in the chaos.
Why the Hotel Became a Target
Protesters were drawn to the hotel because it was widely believed to house ICE, Border Patrol, or other federal immigration personnel involved in Minneapolis enforcement operations — despite a lack of concrete confirmation. The belief that agents were staying at that specific location was enough to make the protest shift from street demonstrations to a targeted, mobile confrontation.
The attempt to storm the hotel reflected broader frustration with federal immigration tactics, which critics describe as heavy‑handed, militarized, and lacking transparency — particularly after rival accounts of Pretti’s shooting raised doubts about official narratives.
Public Reaction and Political Fallout
The hotel incident has further inflamed tensions not only in Minneapolis but across the nation:
Protesters and activists argue that federal immigration enforcement has gone too far, especially in light of reports showing Pretti may have been unarmed and attempting to help others when shot.
Local and state leaders have voiced concern, with some calling for investigations into the use of force and coordination between federal and local agencies.
The unrest comes amid broader protests across multiple cities in the U.S., with solidarity demonstrations also held in places such as Chicago, Boston, and New York, all calling for ICE reform and accountability.
Nationally, the White House and lawmakers are watching closely, as outrage continues to mount over multiple fatal encounters between federal agents and civilians during immigration operations. Some federal officials have indicated a potential scaling back of the agent deployment in Minneapolis, though no definitive exit timeline has been provided.
A Broader Moment of Unrest
The hotel storming incident is part of a larger wave of protests and civil unrest tied to federal immigration enforcement policies, particularly the Operation Metro Surge, which has deployed thousands of officers to Minnesota with the stated goal of apprehending undocumented immigrants and enforcing immigration law. The operation has been criticized as overly aggressive by local leaders and civil rights groups.
The death of Alex Pretti — along with that of Renée Good, another protester killed in an earlier encounter with federal agents — has become a rallying point for critics who see these events as symptomatic of deeper issues in federal enforcement practices and the balance between civil liberties and law enforcement powers.
Conclusion: A City on Edge
The attempt by protesters to storm a Minneapolis hotel believed to be housing ICE agents illustrates just how tense and volatile the situation has become. What started as organized demonstrations has morphed into dynamic, unpredictable confrontations that highlight widening fault lines in American society over immigration, use of force, federal authority, and community trust.
As Minneapolis remains a crucible of debate and protest, many are left wondering if the cycle of outrage, confrontation, and federal response will lead to lasting change — or only deeper division.
