Feds Use Brutal Force to Silence Witness to Immigrant Killing in Minneapolis, Journalist Claims.
In the chaotic aftermath of Alex Pretti's fatal shooting by federal agents last week, Clayton Kelly was thrown face-first onto the sidewalk, tasting snow and street grime as a federal agent's knee drove into his back. The 37-year-old nurse, who witnessed the earlier killing of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, said he had been told not to interfere with immigration enforcement by agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Kelly, an independent eyewitness, claims that he was arrested and brutalized by federal agents in Minneapolis. According to his account, the incident unfolded after Kelly and his wife arrived at the scene where Pretti was killed. As protesters gathered, agents began chasing down people who were observing or documenting the killings.
According to Kelly, he had been watching as an immigration agent shot Sosa-Celis just ten days earlier. Kelly said that during that encounter, he was told to leave and not interfere with federal operations. However, when he tried to leave the scene of Pretti's killing without intervening, agents allegedly tackled him to the ground and pepper-sprayed him.
Kelly underwent fusion surgery in his thoracic spine several years ago and has had permanent damage as a result. In an affidavit he signed with his attorney, Kelly said that one agent put his knee directly on his surgical wounds during the arrest.
"It was like they wanted to silence me," Kelly told The Intercept. "They wanted to make sure I didn't have any evidence."
Kelly's wife, Alana Ericson, corroborated much of his account. She said that agents ignored her husband's pleas for medical attention and refused to provide him with care after the arrest.
"This doesn't feel like real life," Ericson said in an interview with The Intercept. "I've been having nightmares about it."
Kelly is now facing detention at a federal facility in Minneapolis, alongside other witnesses who documented Pretti's killing. He has demanded his phone back, saying that it contained evidence of the earlier shooting.
Several attorneys representing detained witnesses reported that federal officials discussed potential charges against their clients, but ultimately decided not to pursue them.
"It was like they were trying to intimidate us," one attorney said.
The Intercept obtained medical records showing that another witness suffered a fractured shoulder during the arrest. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CBP, and ICE have so far declined to provide any information about their use of force in Minneapolis or their treatment of detained witnesses.
This incident highlights concerns raised by civil liberties groups about federal enforcement actions in the wake of Operation Metro Surge. In December 2025, a group of Minnesota residents and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that federal agents used excessive force, intimidation, and arrests to deter civilians from observing or protesting immigration enforcement.
In January, a federal judge issued an injunction limiting retaliation against peaceful protesters and observers.
Kelly's story raises questions about whether he was facing retaliation for acting as a witness.
In the chaotic aftermath of Alex Pretti's fatal shooting by federal agents last week, Clayton Kelly was thrown face-first onto the sidewalk, tasting snow and street grime as a federal agent's knee drove into his back. The 37-year-old nurse, who witnessed the earlier killing of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, said he had been told not to interfere with immigration enforcement by agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Kelly, an independent eyewitness, claims that he was arrested and brutalized by federal agents in Minneapolis. According to his account, the incident unfolded after Kelly and his wife arrived at the scene where Pretti was killed. As protesters gathered, agents began chasing down people who were observing or documenting the killings.
According to Kelly, he had been watching as an immigration agent shot Sosa-Celis just ten days earlier. Kelly said that during that encounter, he was told to leave and not interfere with federal operations. However, when he tried to leave the scene of Pretti's killing without intervening, agents allegedly tackled him to the ground and pepper-sprayed him.
Kelly underwent fusion surgery in his thoracic spine several years ago and has had permanent damage as a result. In an affidavit he signed with his attorney, Kelly said that one agent put his knee directly on his surgical wounds during the arrest.
"It was like they wanted to silence me," Kelly told The Intercept. "They wanted to make sure I didn't have any evidence."
Kelly's wife, Alana Ericson, corroborated much of his account. She said that agents ignored her husband's pleas for medical attention and refused to provide him with care after the arrest.
"This doesn't feel like real life," Ericson said in an interview with The Intercept. "I've been having nightmares about it."
Kelly is now facing detention at a federal facility in Minneapolis, alongside other witnesses who documented Pretti's killing. He has demanded his phone back, saying that it contained evidence of the earlier shooting.
Several attorneys representing detained witnesses reported that federal officials discussed potential charges against their clients, but ultimately decided not to pursue them.
"It was like they were trying to intimidate us," one attorney said.
The Intercept obtained medical records showing that another witness suffered a fractured shoulder during the arrest. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CBP, and ICE have so far declined to provide any information about their use of force in Minneapolis or their treatment of detained witnesses.
This incident highlights concerns raised by civil liberties groups about federal enforcement actions in the wake of Operation Metro Surge. In December 2025, a group of Minnesota residents and the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that federal agents used excessive force, intimidation, and arrests to deter civilians from observing or protesting immigration enforcement.
In January, a federal judge issued an injunction limiting retaliation against peaceful protesters and observers.
Kelly's story raises questions about whether he was facing retaliation for acting as a witness.
What's up with the feds? Like, they're supposed to uphold the law, right? Instead of keeping people safe, they're out here using brutal force to silence witnesses and intimidate civilians who just want to report what they saw. 
Clayton Kelly's story is straight out of a bad action movie, but unfortunately, it's real life for him and others like him.
It's not like the person witnessed an actual crime – just a killing that happened to be in front of them. And now they're facing detention and being silenced? 
That's just messed up.
And honestly, I don't blame Kelly and his wife for feeling traumatized. They should be getting support, not being treated like they're some kind of threat.
federal agents using brutal force to silence witnesses? it's like they're trying to cover up something big! i mean, what kind of system allows this to happen? 
the fact that clayton kelly had permanent damage from his arrest and is now facing detention is just heartbreaking 
we need more transparency and accountability from our law enforcement agencies. this incident needs to be thoroughly investigated and those responsible held accountable 
These federal agents are brutalizin' witnesses to witness somethin'? That's just crazy talk! 
That's just cruel. And now he's facin' detention? What's the point of that? He was just tryin' to do the right thing.
the fact that federal agents told him not to interfere but then tackled him to the ground when he tried to leave is just wild. and now his wife is having nightmares about it too... like how much more can one person take 
.
, and we're gonna hold those in power accountable for their actions 
.
. It's all about how we choose to respond when faced with injustice: do we get bent outta shape, or do we stand tall and demand change?
. And what about his wife? She's having nightmares because the system is just so broken. 
This case has all the makings of a disturbing pattern of abuse, and it's our responsibility as citizens to speak out against it. We need to demand answers from our elected officials and hold them accountable for protecting our rights and freedoms 
And now he's facing detention for allegedly possessing evidence? That just doesn't add up.
Clayton Kelly's story is giving me chills, like how they tackled him and pepper-sprayed him for trying to document a murder scene? That's insane! And now he's facing detention and they won't give back his phone with evidence on it? 
The fact that they told Kelly not to interfere and then tackled him anyway is mind-boggling. It's like they're more scared of public scrutiny than actual federal laws. 
We need accountability, not silence. The American people deserve to know what's going on behind the scenes of federal enforcement. It's time for transparency and real reform, not just Band-Aid solutions.