JUST IN: Indivisible Smith County Condemns Deadly DHS Action During Minnesota Protests

SMITH COUNTY, Texas (TXAN 24) — Indivisible Smith County and the East Texas Organizing Coalition are condemning what they describe as a deadly use of force by federal agents during protests in Minnesota, calling on lawmakers to take immediate action.

In a statement released Friday, the organizations said 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive-care nurse, was killed in Minneapolis during large-scale demonstrations against immigration enforcement operations carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The groups allege the incident involved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents amid heightened federal activity in the state.

Indivisible Smith County and the East Texas Organizing Coalition are urging Texas and federal representatives to publicly denounce the incident, require ICE agents to wear body cameras, and prohibit federal agents from wearing masks while conducting operations.

They are also calling on U.S. Senators to vote against the upcoming DHS funding bill.

The groups echoed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s demand that President Donald Trump withdraw federal agents deployed to the state, describing the officers as “violent and untrained” in their statement.

“What we saw in that video is indefensible,” said Dylan Sigler, secretary of the Smith County Young Democrats. “It is the inevitable outcome of unleashing a poorly trained, heavily armed force that operates with effective immunity. This violence must end.”

Indivisible Smith County emphasized its commitment to nonviolence in all protests, organizing, and advocacy efforts.

Indivisible Smith County is an East Texas-based organization focused on democracy, civil rights, and community advocacy.