Utah’s governor and congressional officials have yet to acknowledge Saturday’s shooting in Minneapolis, where a federal immigration officer reportedly shot and killed a United States citizen.
Meanwhile, Utah organizers quickly planned events in protest and to show solidarity with Minneapolis.
Multiple news outlets reported 37-year-old Alex Pretti was wrestled to the sidewalk by multiple Border Patrol agents before they shot and killed him. The New York Times reported at least 10 rounds appeared to be fired within five seconds, based on an analysis of video on social media.
As of Saturday afternoon, none of Utah’s six-member federal delegation had given a statement or comment about the shooting on social media or through official news releases.
Gov. Spencer Cox was also quiet. Spokespeople for the governor and Utah’s congressional delegation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The shooting comes after federal law enforcement agents in Minneapolis shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, 37, on Jan. 7.
Jamie Carter, an organizer for Salt Lake Indivisible, said the activist group is encouraging Utahns on Saturday to step outside their homes at 7 p.m. and light candles for Pretti.
On Sunday, the group is organizing a march in Salt Lake City, Carter said. The protest is set to begin at 3 p.m. at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building before proceeding to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office at 660 S. 200 East.
Carter said they will urge senators to vote no on a bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security. The bill is expected to be considered by the Senate next week, according to AP News.