Escalation of Force in Minneapolis

The events surrounding the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, have ignited a firestorm of controversy and accusations of heavy-handed tactics by federal agents. Less than 40 minutes after the shooting on Nicollet Avenue, Clayton Kelly was thrown to the ground, an agent’s knee pressing into his back, tasting snow and grit. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Kelly’s experience, corroborated by video evidence and an independent eyewitness, points to a disturbing trend of targeting individuals simply observing or questioning federal actions.

Kelly and his wife, Alana Ericson, had arrived at the scene intending only to observe the aftermath of Pretti’s death. As protesters gathered and agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flooded the area, Kelly was singled out. According to Kelly, an agent rushed towards him, shouting, “That’s him. Get him.”

This incident occurred ten days after another controversial shooting involving ICE agents in north Minneapolis. On January 14th, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis was shot in the leg during a federal enforcement action. Kelly, who witnessed that event, provided an account to MPR News and Sahan Journal that contradicted the Department of Homeland Security’s official narrative. Could this prior testimony have made him a target?

At the scene of Pretti’s killing, Kelly reportedly told agents they were “on the wrong side of history.” Moments later, as he turned his back, agents descended upon him. Despite raising his hands and repeatedly stating, “I’m leaving. I’m leaving,” Kelly was tackled, pepper-sprayed, and handcuffed.

The situation highlights a broader pattern of alleged abuse of power. A federal class-action lawsuit, Tincher v. Noem, filed in December 2025 by Minnesota residents and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, alleges that agents participating in Operation Metro Surge used excessive force, intimidation, and arrests to discourage civilians from observing, recording, or protesting immigration enforcement. A limited injunction was issued in January barring agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters and observers, yet the incidents continue.

Ericson feared for her husband’s life as agents pinned him to the ground, particularly in light of Pretti’s recent shooting. She recounted agents dismissing her pleas that Kelly was a U.S. citizen with a chilling indifference: “We don’t give a f—.”

Kelly’s pre-existing medical condition – a spinal fusion surgery – made the assault even more dangerous. Agents piled on top of him, one deliberately placing a knee on the site of his surgical wounds. He screamed that he couldn’t breathe as an agent forced pepper spray directly into his left eye, causing a severe burn.

After being handcuffed, Kelly was dragged to a vehicle and transported to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. His phone, confiscated during the arrest, remains unreturned. According to Kelly, agents indicated they would obtain a warrant to access its contents, despite not listing it on his property inventory.

The confiscated phone reportedly contained photos Kelly took of the January 14th shooting of Sosa-Celis, further suggesting a potential motive for the aggressive response. Attorneys representing other detainees have reported that federal officials considered charges of assaulting, interfering with, or resisting federal officers, a statute often interpreted broadly.

Shauna Kieffer, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild representing Kelly, emphasized that any movement by Kelly during the arrest was simply a reaction to the force being used against him. Kelly was detained for approximately eight hours before being released and seeking medical treatment at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, where his injuries were documented as assault-related.

Kelly’s fears of retaliation are not unfounded. Kieffer described instances of attorneys and observers being followed by federal vehicles after monitoring immigration enforcement activity, and even having agents park outside their homes. The Intercept previously reported on similar tactics used to intimidate those critical of ICE.

The emotional toll on Kelly and his wife is significant. Ericson described experiencing nightmares and a sense of unreality, fearing her husband had been targeted for speaking out.

What responsibility do federal agencies have to ensure the safety of observers and protesters? And how can transparency be increased to prevent further incidents of alleged abuse of power?

Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Agent Conduct in Minneapolis