Minneapolis fatal shooting of activist sparks war of words among Florida politicians

A prominent candidate in the race for Florida Governor says he’s supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the wake of another fatal shooting of a protester.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Southwest Florida Republican who is running for Governor, issued a statement saying he’s backing ICE officers as they round up undocumented migrants. The measures are part of a crackdown in several cities instituted by President Donald Trump.

“ICE is under attack. DHS (Department of Homeland Security) is under attack. Law and order is under attack. As Florida’s next governor, I won’t stand for it,” Donalds said in a news release that was actually published Friday before the latest shooting.

Donalds was criticizing Democratic challengers in the Governor’s race such as David Jolly  who opposed opening new ICE detention facilities in the Orlando area.

But Saturday, the ICE issue was elevated as federal officials say agents fired defensively in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Saturday morning when Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, stepped into a confrontation between an immigration officer and a woman on the street. Officials say Pretti was armed, but no bystander videos appear to show him holding a weapon. The Minneapolis police chief said Pretti had a permit to carry a gun.

It’s the second fatal shooting by ICE agents in Minneapolis this month.

State Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Miami Gardens Democrat and a possible candidate for Governor, said ICE operations under the orders of Trump have gotten out of control.

“Across the country, ICE agents empowered by the Trump administration are acting with impunity as they violently terrorize our communities, illegally detain and kill citizens, and tear families apart,” Jones said in a news release Sunday.

“… [T]his is the federal government abusing its power to bully, intimidate and stoke fear, and kill innocent Americans.  The Trump administration excuses ICE’s actions, calling it enforcement.  That is bullshit.  Let’s call it what it is: murder and weaponizing the state against the American people,” Jones said.

Donalds said, ultimately, Republicans including current Gov. Ron DeSantis have the right approach to immigration.

“Gov. DeSantis has been clear that Florida will uphold federal immigration law. And as Florida’s next governor, that will not change. I will work hand in hand with President Trump and law enforcement to protect Floridians,” Donalds said.

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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.