The rule of law must apply to everyone or it becomes just words on a page.
A bit of a reset is now going on in Minneapolis, as U-S Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino will apparently be leaving, with border czar Tom Homan taking over after a second fatal shooting of a U-S citizen by federal officers in the city in just over two weeks.
I think it’s fair to say that the only thing more shocking than some of the day-to-day activities of ICE agents is the two reported instances where someone was fatally shot by them.
Renee Good was shot dead in her car on Jan. 7. U.S. officials allege she attempted to run over an ICE officers while her defenders say video shows she steered away.
Then, on Saturday, Alex Pretti was fatally shot by ICE officers after being wrestled to the ground.
Pretti was armed with a gun, but it was holstered and reportedly never in his hand. Video also seems to show it being removed before they shoot him up to 10 times while on the ground. At least one shot fired at Good went through the driver’s side window and not the windshield, when she was no longer even a potential threat.
The conduct of immigration agents in Minneapolis was disturbing long before this. Masked agents. Arresting children. Reports of house searches without warrants. Multiple accounts of excessive force.
It is now time for local law enforcement to investigate the two fatal shootings and also for the entire mission to be put on hold and examined thoroughly. If the plan is to make people feel safe and protected, then it is incredibly flawed and not just in its execution.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
