After the NBA postponed the planned match between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors, the rescheduled game opened with a tribute to ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was gunned down by federal agents yesterday.
“Target Center, we are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Alex Pretti that occurred yesterday in Minneapolis,” an announcer began as Pretti’s image flashed on the jumbo screen. “We extend our love, support and heartfelt sympathies to Alex’s family, friends and our community during this difficult time. Please join us in honoring the life and memory of Alex Pretti with a moment of silence.”
Initial hushes of quiet descended on the stadium, until someone could be heard shouting, “Fuck ICE!” The individual’s act of protest spurred dozens more to join in as the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers and repetitions of “Fuck ICE!”
Originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 on ABC, the game began airing Sunday, Jan. 25 at 4:30 p.m. CT from the Minneapolis live event venue on NBA TV. “The decision [to postpone] was made to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community,” the Timberwolves said in a statement yesterday.
Pretti’s killing by ICE comes not even three weeks following the fatal shooting of Renee Good on Jan. 7, which took place a mile away. President Donald Trump‘s administration said it would not be investigating Good’s manner of death, and similarly, immediately moved to tarnish Pretti’s character by deeming him a “domestic terrorist.” Multiple video angles of the shooting and witness testimony directly contradict such narratives.
There have been widespread protests in the city amid Trump’s brutal immigration crackdown. Minnesotan leaders like Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have censured federal actions, urging Trump to withdraw federal border patrol agents from the area. On Saturday, Walz activated 1,500 Minnesota National Guard troops in response.
Frey said yesterday in a press conference address, “I just saw a video of more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents and shooting him to death. How many more residents, how many more Americans, need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?”