Senior Trump administration officials continued to defend the actions of immigration agents who fatally shot a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis on Saturday.

However, tensions are escalating, with mainstream media and Democrats arguing that video footage captured at the scene proves Alex Pretti, 37, was murdered.

Local residents visited a makeshift shrine of flowers and candles in sub-zero temperatures on Saturday to mourn Pretti, who worked as an ICU nurse. This marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis.

The government claimed that Pretti was shot in self-defense because he assaulted the officers.

A video posted on X, taken at the scene, shows several protesters loudly blowing whistles, actively disrupting the federal agents' operation.

At one point, an agent shoved a female protester, and Pretti intervened, blocking the agent. The agent then sprayed Pretti with pepper spray, and Pretti resisted. At that moment, multiple agents rushed towards Pretti and began to subdue him.

During the struggle, another video captured from a different angle shows an agent disarming Pretti of a firearm he was carrying. Immediately after, another agent fired multiple shots at Pretti.

Mainstream media outlets reported that the shots were fired at Pretti's back while he was unarmed, after his weapon had already been taken, calling it a clear act of murder. Pretti was known to possess a firearm permit. 

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara stated on CBS's "Face the Nation" that "the videos speak for themselves" and that he had seen no evidence of Pretti brandishing a weapon.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) told ABC News' "This Week" that President Trump's deployment of federal agents to Minneapolis was "completely out of control and unbalanced," and that the agents should withdraw from Minnesota. She described the Pretti shooting as "just a terrible thing."

Attorneys representing Minnesota protesters have asked an appellate court to reinstate a lower court order that had prevented federal agents from retaliating violently against protesters, citing Pretti's death and the potential for increased street protests.

Conversely, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen stated on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" that "we know that he came to the scene and interfered with law enforcement operations. That is a violation of federal law. He was aggressive and resisted when officers tried to get him to back down during a confrontation with the officers."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gregory Bovino told CNN's "State of the Union" that "the victims are CBP officers" and that "law enforcement officers do not assault anyone."

President Donald Trump urged Democratic politicians to stop inciting people to interfere with the apprehension of illegal immigrant criminals and called on Congress to pass legislation abolishing "sanctuary cities."

The core of the controversy is why federal agents shot Pretti after he was disarmed. Some speculate that a lack of communication among agents led the officer who fired the shots to be unaware that Pretti had been disarmed.

The truth of the matter is expected to be revealed as the investigation progresses.

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting federal officials from destroying or altering evidence related to the shooting, following lawsuits filed by the Minnesota Attorney General, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCAA). A formal hearing is scheduled for Monday.

President Trump announced on Monday night that he would send Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Tom Homan to Minnesota.

By Sung Ku Hong, Editor-in-Chief, NNP USA / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com