By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
Published: 17:05 EST, 25 January 2026 | Updated: 17:07 EST, 25 January 2026
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has released a stunning statement in the wake of another deadly shooting in Minneapolis, insisting its members 'stand in solidarity' with protesters 'risking their lives' in Minnesota.
Tensions have ratcheted up after the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was shot and killed after a struggle with federal agents on Saturday. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was among those to condemn his death, claiming: 'Alex Pretti was murdered.'
His death came just two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot in her car by an Immigration and Customs (ICE) officer.
Unrest has been building in Minnesota after ICE agents moved in on the orders of the Trump administration. It comes just half a decade after protests engulfed Minneapolis following the death George Floyd.
In the wake of Saturday's shooting, the NBA game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors was postponed to 'prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community.'
Then, on Sunday, the NBPA released a statement urging Americans not to let 'the flames of division' threaten their 'civil liberties.'
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was gunned down during a struggle with federal agents in Minneapolis
The game between the Timberwolves and Warriors was postponed in the wake of his death
Video shows agents wrestling with Pretti and taking him to the ground before he was shot
'Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of the fight against injustices, NBA players can no longer remain silent,' it read.
'Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.
'The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.'
Minnesota governor Tim Walz has begged President Trump to pull federal agents out of the state after Pretti's death. Pretti was shot dead by a Border Patrol agent during a targeted immigration enforcement operation.
'President Trump, you can end this today. Pull these folks back, do humane, focused, effective immigration control — you've got the support of all of us to do that,' Walz begged. 'Show some decency. Pull these folks out.'
He also addressed the American public directly, urging them to denounce Trump's immigration crackdown and the killing of civilians by federal officers.
'What side do you want to be on?' Walz asked. 'The side of an all powerful federal government that can kill, injure, menace and kidnap its citizens off the streets or on the side of a nurse at the V.A. who died bearing witness to such government.'
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Pretti was shot after he 'approached' Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.
Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton posted on social media: 'Alex Pretti was murdered'
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that officers 'clearly feared for their lives' and fired defensive shots at Pretti after he 'violently' resisted federal agents.
Federal authorities claimed the intensive care unit nurse was carrying a loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol, but video captured at the scene appears to show officers disarming him before shots rang out.
Minneapolis police say Pretti had no serious criminal history and was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit, while his family eviscerated the Trump administration in a blistering statement.
'The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,' they said.
'Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.
'Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.'