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The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis has reignited national attention on the killing of Keith Porter Jr., a 43-year-old father of two who was shot by an off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in California on New Year’s Eve.
Porter was killed in Northridge, Los Angeles, after an off-duty ICE agent confronted him late on December 31. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the agent responded after hearing gunfire near his apartment complex and encountered Porter holding a long rifle. Authorities claim the agent ordered Porter to drop the weapon and opened fire after Porter allegedly refused and shot at the agent.
DHS has described the incident as a response to an “active shooter.”
Porter’s family and attorneys strongly dispute that characterization, saying his actions may have warranted arrest or citation by local law enforcement but did not justify a fatal encounter with a federal immigration agent acting outside his official duty jurisdiction. They have also questioned why local police were not contacted instead.
According to the Los Angeles Times, family members say Porter had been firing a rifle into the air earlier in the evening to celebrate New Year’s Eve — an illegal act, but one they argue did not pose an imminent threat warranting lethal force.
As outrage over Pretti’s killing continues, civil rights advocates say Porter’s case reflects a broader pattern of federal agents using deadly force with limited transparency or accountability, particularly in situations unrelated to immigration enforcement.
Beyond the disputed narratives, Porter’s loved ones remember him as a devoted “girl dad,” a hardworking jack of all trades, an avid fisherman, and a loyal San Francisco 49ers fan who was known for his humor and ability to light up a room.
As calls for accountability grow nationwide, supporters say Porter’s name should not be forgotten.
Porter’s killing is one of several ICE-involved deaths drawing renewed scrutiny this year, including the January shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
Advocacy groups tracking federal use of force say ICE is on pace to be linked to 100 or more civilian deaths this year, raising alarm about accountability as enforcement actions expand nationwide.
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