Man arrested by federal authorities at scene of Alex Pretti’s killing after witnessing earlier shooting

Less than an hour passed after Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was shot and killed by federal immigration agents on Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis when Clayton Kelly and his wife witnessed a disturbing scene unfold. Kelly was forcibly subdued by a federal agent, face pushed into the ground, as the aftermath of Pretti’s death escalated. The Intercept managed to review a video of the incident, which coincided with an eyewitness account, revealing a concerning trend in the response to civilian presence at such events.

Despite Kelly and his wife’s intent to merely observe the unfolding chaos around Pretti’s death, they were met with hostility from federal agents. Kelly recounted an incident ten days prior when he was present during another shooting involving an immigration agent and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. His eyewitness testimony contradicted the officially released narrative, ultimately challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s version of events. Kelly’s refusal to conform to the government’s account likely brought him unwanted attention during the altercation after Pretti’s murder.

The brutal treatment Kelly endured at the hands of federal agents, marked by a severe beating and unwarranted detention, epitomizes a larger issue surrounding ICE activities in Minneapolis. Far from fulfilling their mandate of immigration enforcement, federal agents seem to have transitioned into squashing dissent and quelling opposing voices. Kelly’s experience exemplifies the potential consequences faced by individuals who dare to challenge the narrative or serve as witnesses to questionable government actions.

In December 2025, a coalition of Minnesota residents and the ACLU filed a lawsuit alleging federal agents engaged in repressive tactics under Operation Metro Surge, targeting peaceful observers and protesters. The lawsuit, dubbed “Tincher v. Noem,” sought to highlight cases of excessive force, intimidation, and preemptive arrests carried out by government officials to stifle criticism of immigration policies. A recent injunction restraining federal agents from penalizing peaceful demonstrators and witnesses hinted at a broader condemnation of their overreaching tactics in the city’s streets.

The harrowing ordeal of Kelly, subjected to severe physical abuse by federal agents, painted a vivid picture of the government’s dogged pursuit of individuals seen as obstructionist to their agenda. The fact that Kelly, a U.S. citizen pinned to the ground, was met with indifference to his suffering, illustrated the disregard for basic human rights and dignity displayed by the agents during his forcible arrest.

As Kelly’s voice was harshly silenced beneath the weight of several agents, his fears of a dire outcome loomed large. Trapped beneath the oppressive bodies of the government enforcers, Kelly described an overwhelming sense of panic and suffocation. Despite his pleas for mercy, the indifferent treatment mounted as his traumatic experience unfolded. The physical repercussions of the ordeal, leaving deep bruises and wounds on his body, showcased the excessive force and brutality that Kelly faced during his arrest.

Ultimately, Kelly’s arrest and the ensuing trauma inflicted upon him served as a chilling reminder of the perils faced by those who question the government’s actions or serve as witnesses to their misconduct. The pivotal role of civilian oversight and the right to dissent were highlighted through Kelly’s disturbing encounter with overzealous federal agents. The stark reality of oppressive government actions manifested in Kelly’s experience, signaling a concerning trend in law enforcement responses to dissent and accountability.