The Minnesota Timberwolves urged unity after two separate shootings by U.S. immigration agents in Minneapolis provoked large protests and public outrage. The team expressed sympathy for affected communities and called for support rather than division. One shooting prompted the postponement of a Timberwolves-Warriors game; an earlier incident on January 7 involved the shooting of Renee Good. The team emphasized resilience, compassion and community solidarity amid ongoing investigations.
Timberwolves Call for Unity After Two Fatal ICE Shootings in Minneapolis; Game Postponed
A person kneels near posters with images of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, after they were fatally shot in two separate incidents by federal immigration agents, following a vigil in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Seth Herald
Jan 30 (Reuters) - The Minnesota Timberwolves issued a team statement late Thursday urging unity after two fatal shootings involving U.S. immigration agents in Minneapolis sparked public outrage and widespread protests.
The announcement followed two separate incidents this month in which agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. One incident led to the postponement of a Timberwolves home game against the Golden State Warriors.
"We, the Minnesota Timberwolves players, extend our sincere sympathies and love to everyone across the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota who has been affected by the recent tragic events impacting our communities," the team said in its statement.
Thousands of demonstrators braved bitter cold to march through Minneapolis last Friday, calling for an end to what many characterized as an aggressive immigration crackdown linked to policies under President Donald Trump. Protesters voiced anger over both shootings and demanded greater accountability from federal agents.
The postponed game followed an incident in which Alex Pretti was shot by two federal officers after an encounter on a street, according to local reports. In a separate incident on January 7, an ICE officer shot Renee Good while she was in her car. Both episodes have heightened tensions across the city and prompted public calls for investigations.
The Timberwolves' statement adopted a unifying tone amid the community's grief and unrest.
"Minnesota is strongest when we uplift and support one another, and there is no room for hatred or division across our great state or among all who live here," the team said.
"We mourn the lives lost and send strength, peace and compassion to all who are hurting. We believe in the resilience, unity and care that define Minnesotans, and bring our communities together in times of hardship and need."
The statement stops short of taking a political position, focusing instead on sympathy for those affected and an appeal for community solidarity while local and federal authorities continue to review the circumstances surrounding both shootings.
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