(The Center Square) – Illinois members of Congress are speaking out following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, emphasizing the need for a transparent investigation and accountability.
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said in a statement that the incident “is deeply concerning and demands a comprehensive and transparent investigation with full cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement.”
“I support the mission of our federal law enforcement officers and the critical role they play in keeping communities safe,” said LaHood. “However, with their authority, officers must be held to the highest professional and ethical standards to maintain public trust. Any use of force must be lawful, justified, and subject to full accountability.”
LaHood’s comments come as accounts of the shooting differ.
Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, say Pretti “was brandishing” a gun when he was shot, but local authorities say video suggests he may have been shot after a scuffle during which the weapon was removed.
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, called the shooting “murder.”
“Today is different. What happened in Minneapolis is different,” Sorensen said. “We were right in this country to speak, to protest, to open up a phone and shoot video on the street. We also have a duty as Americans to protect our neighbors, and every person, whether you wear a badge or not, must follow the law. What happened this morning was murder, and I demand that it be called that.”
Sorensen also called for legislative action, urging the Senate to push back against what he called “this blatant assault on the Constitution and the rights of Americans” and encouraging citizens to contact their senators to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable.
“We can and all should be supportive of law enforcement, but that also means the law enforcement follow the law,” he said.
Democratic senators say they will oppose any Department of Homeland Security funding bill that includes DHS money in the wake of the Minneapolis shooting, a stance that raises the risk of a partial government shutdown this week.
In a recent social media post, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller said, “Democrats aided and abetted a foreign invasion by millions of illegals, and now threaten to shut the government down to obstruct the enforcement of our immigration laws.”
Miller saidPresident Trump and House Republicans put America first and Democrats put America last.
Sorensen urged other leaders to speak out.
“Every elected leader, Democrats and Republicans, I am waiting to hear meaningful words from every one of you,” he said.
Sorensen added that citizens and officials alike must organize to uphold constitutional rights.
“What can we do? Well, we can get organized, and it’s more about being on the right side of history than it is being in any political party. I will continue to use my power to force this administration to abide by the Constitution and its laws,” he said.
Pretti reportedly was active in a Minnesota Signal group aimed at tracking ICE. Encrypted Signal messages reviewed by Fox Newsshow anti-ICE “rapid responders” tracking and calling for “backup” around federal agents near Glam Doll Donuts in Minneapolis before the shooting occurred.
