Minnesota CEOs call for deescalation after Border Patrol kills man in Minneapolis

More than 60 executives of Minnesota-based companies are calling for an “immediate de-escalation of tensions” and for officials at the federal, state and local levels to work together to find “real solutions” in the wake of a recent deadly shooting involving federal immigration agents.

Alex Peretti, 37, was shot and killed Saturday by Border Patrol agents during federal immigration registration in Minneapolis. Preeti, an ICU nurse, was apparently trying to care for a woman who had fallen down when she was sprayed with an irritant, pushed to the ground and beaten. One agent was seen pulling Pretty’s legally owned handgun from his waistband before other agents fired several shots, killing him.

The shooting comes on the heels of recent unrest over the killing of Renee Nicole Judd in the same city earlier this month.

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“Minnesota’s business community takes pride in providing leadership and problem-solving to ensure a strong, vibrant state,” the CEOs said in an open letter. “The recent challenges facing our state have caused widespread disruption and tragic loss of life.”

“Over the past few weeks, representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to deliver real solutions,” the letter continued. “These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice president, and local mayors. There are ways we can come together to advance progress.”

“With yesterday’s tragic news, we call for the immediate de-escalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the CEOs added.

People mourn at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Peretti was shot and killed by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026. (Getty Images/Getty Images)

“We have worked for generations to build a strong, vibrant state here in Minnesota and we will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment,” the business leaders said.

“At this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a rapid and lasting solution that enables families, businesses, our employees and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future,” they concluded.

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People run away after Minneapolis police fire tear gas following a fatal shooting by federal agents on January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Getty Images/Getty Images)

It comes amid weeks of unrest in Minneapolis, as the Trump administration tries to defend shootings involving federal agents, while state and local leaders and protesters urge immigration agents to leave the city.

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“Minnesota believes in law and order,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Sunday. “We believe in peace. We believe Trump needs to pull his 3,000 untrained agents out of Minnesota before they kill another American in the street.”