LIVE UPDATES | ICE in Minnesota: Deadly weekend shooting, protests, and court hearings

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Immigration operations remain underway following a deadly weekend shooting in Minneapolis, as state and federal officials head to court for hearings tied to immigration enforcement and evidence preservation on Monday. 

Over the weekend, federal Border Patrol agents fatally shot a Minneapolis man, 37-year-old VA ICU nurse Alex Pretti. This is the third shooting involving federal agents this year, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent on Jan. 7. The latest incident comes as thousands of federal agents are in Minneapolis as part of Operation Metro Surge. 

Meanwhile, multiple federal court hearings are scheduled for Monday as legal battles unfold. A federal judge is slated to hear oral arguments on Minnesota’s lawsuit seeking to stop the surge of federal immigration agents, and another hearing is set on a temporary restraining order that blocks the Trump administration from "destroying or altering evidence" in the Alex Pretti shooting.

Find live updates on this shooting below. Watch FOX 9 live in the player above. Live events and other updates can be viewed below.

11:35 a.m. - Walz's statement on call with Trump

Gov. Tim Walz's office released the following statement on the governor's phone call with Trump on Monday morning, which Trump called a "very good" call and they are now on a "similar wavelength." 

"Gov.  Walz had a productive call with President Trump earlier today. The Governor made the case that we need impartial investigations of the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, and that we need to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota. The President agreed that he would talk to his Department of Homeland Security about ensuring the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is able to conduct an independent investigation, as would ordinarily be the case. The President also agreed to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and working with the state in a more coordinated fashion on immigration enforcement regarding violent criminals.

"The Governor reminded President Trump that the Minnesota Department of Corrections already honors federal detainers by notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a person committed to its custody isn’t a U.S. citizen. There is not a single documented case of the department’s releasing someone from state prison without offering to ensure a smooth transfer of custody."

11:25 a.m. - Minnesota asks for restraining order on ICE operations

Oral arguments began at 9 a.m. Monday. Attorneys for Minneapolis, St. Paul and the State of Minnesota urged the court to issue a temporary restraining order to end escalating immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities, citing in part the recent deadly shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol over the weekend. 

Attorneys for the state say putting an end to Operation Metro Surge cannot wait another day. 

"If this is not stopped right here, right now, I don’t think anybody who is seriously looking at this problem can have much faith in how our republic is going to go in the future," Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter said during oral arguments Monday morning.

In laying out its case, the state says the federal occupation of more than 3,000 masked agents has led to racial profiling, illegal detentions and warrantless entries. They are calling the immigration surge a violation of the 10th Amendment, which grants the states equal sovereignty over local issues. They cited efforts by the White House to get state and city leaders to abandon their sanctuary policies or else fact what President Donald Trump has called a "day of reckoning and retribution."

The state also says U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Gov. Tim Walz over the weekend with three requests: she wants information on Medicaid and food programs; she wants the state's sanctuary policies to be repealed, and she wants the DOJ's civil rights division to be given access to the state's voter roles. Attorneys for the state called this a shakedown letter. 

Judge Menendez asked attorneys for the state and cities where she should draw the line between legitimate law enforcement response and one that violates the Constitution.

The federal government is expected to give its arguments next. It's unclear when the judge may make a decision. 

10:47 a.m. - Former VP Pence calls for ‘full and transparent’ investigation

President Donald Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence posted on social media on Monday in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, calling for a "full and transparent" investigation. 

Here is his full statement:

"In the wake of the tragic shooting that claimed the life of Alex Pretti this weekend, our prayers are with his family, the citizens of Minneapolis and local, state and federal law enforcement officers serving there. The images of this incident are deeply troubling and a full and transparent investigation of this officer involved shooting must take place immediately. 

"The focus now should be to bring together law enforcement at every level to address the concerns in the community even while ensuring that dangerous illegal aliens are apprehended and no longer a threat to families in Minneapolis. The American people deserve to have safe streets, our laws enforced and our constitutional rights of Freedom of Speech, peaceable assembly and the right to keep and bear Arms respected and preserved all at the same time. That’s how Law and Order and Freedom work together in America."

10:43 a.m. - Trump says he spoke to Walz Monday morning

President Trump posted on social media on Monday saying he spoke with Gov. Tim Walz. Here's what he said:

"Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota. It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength. I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession. The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I! We have had such tremendous SUCCESS in Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and virtually every other place that we have "touched" and, even in Minnesota, Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP"

FOX 9 has reached out to Gov. Walz's office for comment on this phone call.

10:30 a.m. - Renee Good's family attorney statement on latest fatal shooting

Statement from Attorney Antonio Romanucci, Romanucci & Blandin, which is representing Renee Good's family following her death:

"The events of this weekend in Minneapolis are terrifying, deeply disturbing, and heartbreaking - with yet another U.S. citizen losing their life while taking part in the time-honored and Constitutionally protected activity of being present to observe and peacefully advocate for their beliefs.  We urge all Americans to trust their own eyes as they interpret the horrific video, and to call for an absolute end to ICE activity in Minneapolis. It has clearly gone too far and strayed far beyond its stated mission of removing criminal non-citizens from the country. It is time for a hard reset.  ICE agents can leave Minneapolis. The residents of Minnesota cannot. We call for a complete and immediate end to the ICE invasion of this beautiful American city."

9:40 a.m. - Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs on ICE

Statement regarding the shootings and ongoing ICE activity in the Twin Cities from the Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs (HCAPE):

"We are the labor union that represents 9-1-1 paramedics, BLS EMTs and Emergency Medical Dispatchers at Hennepin EMS. Our members serve Minneapolis and many of the surrounding suburbs in Hennepin County. We have a proud history of serving the needs of this community for decades. Through a massive bridge collapse, global pandemic, unprecedented civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, Annunciation School shooting and dozens of other lesser known tragedies our members have honorably served.

"The last several weeks have been increasingly difficult. We have seen a large influx in the presence of federal agents all over Minnesota, but especially in communities of color, centered in Minneapolis. This federal presence has caused a steep increase in calls for service, brought many community members to the streets in protest and led to several residents being shot. The continued escalation is pushing our emergency medical system past the breaking point. Community members are afraid to seek medical attention while deteriorating at home, protesters are being subjected to pepper spray and tear gas, and our partners in local law enforcement are struggling to co-respond on potentially dangerous calls. Despite the stated aim of this federal operation, it is not making this part of America safer. People are dying and basic services are being significantly impacted on a daily basis.

"We are not some massive national union with thousands of members, lawyers and lobbyists. We are a local independent association with less than 200 members. Our board leadership are full time paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers, who live right here in this community. Our aim is to keep our members safe, provide a needed service to Hennepin County and continue providing world class medical care to our patients. The sad reality is, the expanded presence of ICE and other federal agents is making that increasingly difficult. Whether answering 9-1-1 calls or arriving on scene to provide medical care and transport, our members are here to help all members of the community."

9:30 a.m. - Minneapolis City Council making meeting changes amid ICE operations

The Minneapolis City Council is changing its meeting schedule due to "ongoing community needs" amid ICE operations in Minnesota. 

"Council Members are prioritizing their constituents and the community, and they recognize the demand this ongoing situation has placed on the City’s administration and staff," a news release says. 

The council's upcoming meeting schedule through Feb. 19 is changed to: 

• Committee of the Whole: Tuesday, Feb. 3, 9:30 a.m.
• Full council meeting: Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:30 a.m.
• COW Tuesday, Feb. 17, 9:30 a.m.
• Full council meeting: Thursday, Feb. 19, 9:30 a.m.

Items normally referred to standing committees will be referred to the Committee of the Whole (COW) on Tuesday, Feb. 3, starting at 9:30 a.m. 

9:10 a.m. – Hearing underway 

A federal judge is hearing oral arguments beginning at 9 a.m. Monday in a lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul, which seeks to stop the surge of ICE agents in the state. The lawsuit is calling the ICE operations in Minnesota illegal, while the DOJ has called the lawsuit frivolous. 

The plaintiffs are urging the courts to issue a temporary restraining order today, citing in part the recent deadly shooting over the weekend. The defendant doesn't dispute the impact of the operation but argues that any impact is the fault of policies. 

Attorneys argue that Operation Metro Surge has led to countless examples of racial profiling, illegal detentions, warrantless searches, abandoned vehicles, and the use of chemical irritants. Additionally, the operation is resulting in negative impacts on public safety, public health and education. 

7:45 a.m. – Pres. Trump sending border czar to Minnesota 

In a Truth Social post on Monday, President Donald Trump stated he is sending Tom Homan, the White House border czar, to Minnesota. 

"I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me," Trump wrote. 

Trump also said a "major investigation" is underway into welfare fraud in Minnesota, which he suggests is partially responsible for the ongoing protests. In the same statement, Trump said the DOJ and Congress are looking into Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's finances, making unsubstantiated claims about her weather. 

7:35 a.m. – Minnesota CEO's joint statement 

On Sunday, over 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies issued a joint statement calling for an "immediate deescalation" and a unified response from federal, state and local leaders in wake of the "widespread disruption and tragic loss of life." 

The full letter reads:

The business community in Minnesota prides itself in providing leadership and solving problems to ensure a strong and vibrant state. The recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. For the past several weeks, representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to advance real solutions. These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President and local mayors. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress.  

With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.  

We have been working for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota and will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment. In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future. 

7:30 a.m. – Protesters target hotels

For several weeks, protesters have been targeting hotels where federal agents are believed to be staying. State officials say demonstrators damaged a hotel in Dinkytown on Sunday night, leading to a large response from law enforcement with federal agents using tear gas to disperse the crowd. 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released a statement on the incident: 

"The Minnesota State Patrol and DNR were called to assist Minneapolis police with damage to hotel property at Home2 Suites Hotel on University Avenue. While they collaboratively worked to encircle the group for arrests because the demonstration was not peaceful, federal agents arrived without communication and deployed chemical irritants, clearing the group. The State Patrol and DNR are no longer on scene."

6:45 a.m. – Federal court hearings Monday

The legal fight over immigration enforcement in Minnesota returns to court Monday.

A federal judge is scheduled to hear oral arguments at 9 a.m. Monday in a lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul, which seeks to stop the surge of ICE agents in the state. The lawsuit is calling the ICE operations in Minnesota illegal, while the DOJ has called the lawsuit frivolous. 

In a separate case, there is a legal battle over evidence in the shooting death of Alex Pretti. A federal judge in Minnesota blocked the Trump administration from "destroying or altering" evidence. 

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says federal officers initially blocked their investigators from the shooting scene. Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a motion Saturday night asking the court for a restraining order to preserve evidence collected by federal officers. 

The judge swiftly granted the motion and BCA agents were able to access the scene Sunday morning, roughly 24 hours after the shooting. 

A hearing in the case is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday.