(This story has been updated with new information.)
Indiana politicians, advocates and athletes are largely condemning the second shooting death by federal immigration enforcement officials in Minneapolis.
U.S. Border Patrol officers shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, as agents held him to the ground after he stood between them and someone who agents had shoved the morning of Jan. 24. Federal officials have described the shooting as a defensive action, saying that Pretti approached agents with a firearm, though Pretti was not brandishing a weapon, according to USA Today. A Washington Post video analysis shows agents disarmed the man before shooting him.
The killing sparked bipartisan criticism of the Trump administration’s account. Some Democratic senators have pledged to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security, risking yet another government shutdown, while several Republican congressmen have called for a comprehensive investigation of the incident.
Groups from the National Rifle Association to the American Nurses Association have also called for a full investigation.
Here’s everything you need to know about what Hoosiers are saying.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton
The NBA All-Star is so far one of few professional athletes to make a statement on Pretti’s death.
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson
Carson, the Democrat who represents Indiana’s 7th Congressional District, is currently the only member of Indiana’s congressional delegation to publicly condemn the shooting.
U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin
Houchin, a Republican representing Indiana’s 9th Congressional District, posted Jan. 25 that she supports ICE.
Secretary of State candidate Beau Bayh
Bayh, a Democrat whose father and grandfather served as U.S. senators representing Indiana, condemned the shooting and described Pretti as a person who was killed “simply for exercising their constitutional rights.”
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman
Stutzman, a Republican serving Hoosiers in Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District, didn’t comment on the shooting but criticized Democratic efforts to block funding for DHS.
Former South Bend mayor and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Buttigieg, who now lives in Michigan, described ICE as a force of “masked, militarized agents” acting with “impunity.”
Indiana House Democrats
The Indiana Democratic Party has not yet released an official statement but reposted a condemnation from Indiana House Democrats.
Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis
The Indianapolis lawmaker eying a run for mayor posted a video on Jan. 25 about “our friends in Minneapolis.”
“It’s time that we stop looking for comfort in performative statements from our politicians,” Hunley said, “and we start demanding actual performance from them.”
Hunley concludes by saying Indianapolis is “taking notes” from how Minneapolis residents are “standing up” to ICE.
Sen. JD Ford, D-Indianapolis
Ford decried the “chaos and grief” brought by the presence of federal agents in Minneapolis. The Indianapolis lawmaker is running for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Republican.
Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Democrat joined other local and national political leaders in calling for a thorough investigation of Pretti’s killing.
Most of Indiana’s political leaders have yet to comment on Pretti’s death. Sen. Jim Banks and Sen. Todd Young, both Republicans, who will soon face a key funding package vote, could not be immediately reached for comment and did not post on social media about it.
This story may be updated.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana politicians, leaders react to fatal shooting of Minneapolis man by federal agents
Reporting by Marissa Meador, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
