Two US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have been placed on administrative leave following a fatal shooting incident involving an American citizen in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

CBP said the decision was taken after a shooting on Saturday that resulted in the death of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti. The incident has sparked fresh protests across Minnesota and drawn nationwide public reaction.

According to a preliminary report sent to Congress, a physical altercation occurred between Pretti and the agents, during which two officers discharged their firearms. Initial official statements claimed that Pretti had drawn a weapon, though this assertion has not yet been clearly confirmed.

CBP stated that the agents were temporarily removed from duty in line with standard procedure. In federal law enforcement, placing officers involved in shootings on administrative leave during investigations is a common practice. However, CBP Commander Gregory Bovino had earlier said the agents remained on duty and were reassigned to another city.

Meanwhile, authorities also confirmed that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent involved in a separate January 7 shooting in Minneapolis that left 37-year-old Renee Good wounded has likewise been placed on administrative leave as part of an ongoing investigation.

The incident has intensified political tensions. Although former President Donald Trump recently said he wanted to ease tensions in Minneapolis, he engaged in a sharp dispute with city officials earlier this week. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city would not back down from its sanctuary city policies or enforce federal immigration laws.

In response, Trump said on his Truth Social account that Frey’s remarks amounted to a serious violation of the law, warning that the mayor was “playing with fire.”

On the same day, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she was in Minneapolis and said 16 people had been detained on allegations of attacking federal law enforcement officers, adding that further arrests were expected.

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar also said Trump’s rhetoric had increased threats against her. Omar was reportedly attacked during an event on Tuesday evening when an individual allegedly sprayed an unknown substance at her with a syringe. Police said suspect Anthony Kazmierczak will be charged with third-degree assault.

Omar, the first Somali-born member of the US House of Representatives, said that threats against her increase “every time the president uses hateful language.”(ILKHA)