The fatal Border Patrol shooting of a man who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says was armed with a 9mm pistol during a confrontation with agents on Saturday has sparked a clash among gun rights groups, pitting defenses of lawful carry and protest rights against warnings about escalating anti-law-enforcement rhetoric.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was shot Saturday morning while allegedly protesting an immigration enforcement operation targeting an illegal immigrant with a criminal record.

DHS officials say Pretti approached Border Patrol agents while armed with a handgun and "violently resisted" when they attempted to disarm him, leading to the shooting.

State officials said Pretti, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had a lawful Permit to Carry (PTC), and court records obtained by Fox News Digital indicate he did not have a criminal record.

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The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus quickly responded to the shooting, calling it "deeply concerning."

"According to local officials, the man was legally armed, a firearm was recovered at the scene, and he is believed to have been a lawful gun owner and permit to carry holder," the organization wrote in a statement. 

They added many critical facts remain unknown, as the shooting happened just hours earlier.

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"We do not yet have an independent account of what initiated the encounter or what triggered the use of deadly force," the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus wrote. "Despite widespread speculation regarding intent, there has been no evidence produced indicating an intent to harm the officers. We are calling for a full and transparent investigation by both state and federal authorities. 

"Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times."

Contrasting Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus' response, the National Rifle Association (NRA) released a statement on social media blaming Democrat leaders in the blue state for "incit[ing] violence" against law enforcement officers, and pleading with Minnesotans to lower the temperature amid ongoing unrest.

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"For months, radical progressive politicians like [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz have incited violence against law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs," the NRA wrote in an X post. "Unsurprisingly, these calls to dangerously interject oneself into legitimate law-enforcement activities have ended in violence, tragically resulting in injuries and fatalities."

The NRA noted that as with any officer-involved shooting, there will be "a robust and comprehensive investigation that takes place to determine if the use of force was justified."

"As we await these facts and gain a clearer understanding, we urge the political voices to lower the temperature to ensure their constituents and law enforcement officers stay safe," NRA officials wrote.

As the gun rights groups sounded off, so-called "armed community response" members in Minneapolis patrolled near the scene of the shooting Saturday night.

At least two people were spotted at the location wearing tactical vests and open-carrying weapons.

DHS is leading the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from the FBI.

Reba McEntire is reflecting on a traumatic moment from her past.

In a recent interview with Garden & Gun, the 70-year-old musician spoke about the 1991 plane crash which resulted in the death of eight members of her band and the famous friends who helped her cope.

"It was really hard for me to get back onstage, but Vince Gill called and said, 'Buddy, I’ll be there for you,'" she recalled. "Dolly Parton said, 'Here, take my band.' It was such a gift to see how many people stepped forward to help, and to reassure, because so many of us had hearts that were broken."

Her band and crew members were flying out of San Diego after a concert when their charter jet plane crashed. The singer was not on the plane, and instead was scheduled to leave San Diego the next morning.

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The crash claimed the lives of McEntire’s tour manager, Jim Hammon, keyboardist and bandleader Kirk Cappello, keyboardist Joey Cigainero, drummer Tony Saputo, guitarist Michael Thomas, guitarist Chris Austin, bassist Terry Jackson and vocalist Paula Kaye Evans as well as the two pilots Donald Holmes and Christopher Hollinger.

"I didn't know if I was going to be able to continue," McEntire told People magazine in October 2022 about the crash. "But it showed me how precious life is, and by the grace of God and my faith, I realized that they went on to a better place."

Following the loss of her friends, McEntire wrote "For My Broken Heart," which was released around eight months after the crash and honored those who died. The album featured hits such as "Is There Life Out There," "The Lights Went Out In Georgia" and "The Greatest Man I Never Knew."

Also in 1991, McEntire met her fiancée, Rex Linn. However, they didn't start a romantic relationship until 2020, after the country singer appeared on his show, "Young Sheldon."

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"We didn't get to see each other from January till June 16 [due to COVID], but we created an intimacy by texting and talking over the telephone that we wouldn't have gotten if we'd have been together all of that time," she told E! News in April 2024. "It was very special. It was a great way to find out about each other without ever touching."

They publicly confirmed they were engaged when a reporter for E! News referred to Linn as McEntire's fiancé ahead of the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, and they did not correct it. A representative for McEntire later confirmed the news to Fox News Digital. 

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When speaking with Fox News Digital in May 2025, McEntire said the two of them "get along in every aspect."

"He's a better cook than I am, so I like that, for sure," she said. We love Longhorns, we love the cowboy way of life, cowgirl way of life, and we both got into the entertainment industry."

"He's an actor. I'm a singer. I love to act. Now we act together," she added. "So it's just the perfect union, absolutely. And we get along great. We do argue now. We argue a lot, but we have fun doing that too."