At least two U.S. federal immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave, media outlets reported on Wednesday, as the incident continues to spark outrage and protests nationwide. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the move as part of standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, following the Jan. 24 encounter that left 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti dead during a federal operation in the city. Pretti, a lawful gun owner, was shot multiple times by agents amid a controversial confrontation that has drawn widespread scrutiny and conflicting accounts.

The leave decision comes amid growing tension over federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, including earlier deadly encounters involving federal agents this month and persistent calls for independent investigations and accountability. Federal and local authorities continue to review evidence and video footage as the national debate over law-enforcement conduct intensifies.