Minneapolis, MN – NBA players are publicly accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of murdering a protester during a demonstration in Minnesota, escalating national outrage over federal law enforcement violence.
According to eyewitnesses and protest organizers, Alex Pretti was killed while protesting ICE activity when federal agents opened fire, striking him five times. Those present say Pretti posed no threat when agents began shooting.
The National Basketball Players Association said in a statement that players “can no longer remain silent,” calling the killing an attack on civil liberties and the right to protest. The union warned against what it described as unchecked state violence and extended condolences to the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was among the players to speak out, posting bluntly on social media: “Alex Pretti was murdered.” The statement spread rapidly online, reflecting growing anger among athletes and the public over the role of federal agents in the shooting.
ICE has not released body-camera footage or a detailed explanation justifying the use of lethal force. No agents have been publicly identified, and no charges have been announced. Civil rights advocates say the silence reinforces concerns that federal agencies operate without meaningful accountability.
The killing occurred in Minneapolis, a city long associated with protests against police and federal use of force. Organizers say Pretti’s death represents a dangerous escalation in how immigration enforcement responds to dissent.
Activists, legal groups, and now professional athletes are calling for an independent investigation, the immediate release of all footage, and criminal accountability for those involved.
As pressure mounts, NBA players say their message is simple: protesting government power should not be a death sentence.
