WATCH: Minneapolis Rapper Arrested During Anti-ICE Riot

Federal agents moved to restore order during a volatile and unlawful protest in south Minneapolis after a local rapper was detained near the scene of Saturday’s fatal shooting involving Border Patrol officers.

Matt “Nur-D” Allen was detained near Nicollet Avenue, close to where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot and killed earlier in the day during a targeted immigration enforcement operation. Authorities had declared the gathering an unlawful assembly after protesters ignored repeated warnings to disperse.

Video circulated by Status Coup News shows Allen walking away from federal agents with his hands raised as chemical irritants were deployed to clear agitators from the street. Moments later, agents moved in, tackled him to the ground, restrained his arms and used pepper spray as he resisted and shouted his name while yelling, “You’re gonna have to kill me.”

Allen, 35, is a rapper and producer from Rosemount who has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and appeared in commercials for HealthPartners. Footage shows him later being placed into the back of a pickup truck and driven from the area as officers worked to secure the scene.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions regarding Allen’s detention. Friends later said he was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment.

The arrest occurred amid chaos following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, during a confrontation with federal agents conducting a targeted operation to apprehend an illegal immigrant wanted for assault.

Minneapolis rapper Nur-D was detained following a crowd dispersion operation by ICE.

The fact he thought he could run looking like – extreme confidence if nothing else 😎

Protest accordingly…#CityLife #Minneapolis #NurD #rapper #diabetes #education #learing #running #urban… pic.twitter.com/FVIsFh5Cfv

— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) January 26, 2026

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said officers had repeatedly ordered crowds to disperse, warning that the gathering had become an unlawful assembly.

“Please do not destroy our own city,” O’Hara said.

He added investigators believe the man who was killed may have had a firearm permit. Minnesota law allows permitted individuals to carry handguns openly in public.

The shooting occurred Saturday morning near West 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue South. City officials said they were aware of reports involving federal law enforcement and were working to confirm details.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey blamed the Trump administration for the unrest, accusing it of “terrorising” the city.

“How many more residents, how many more Americans, need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?” Frey asked.

DHS rejected that characterization, saying the incident began during “a targeted operation” involving an illegal alien wanted for violent assault. According to the department, an individual approached Border Patrol agents “with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun,” prompting agents to attempt to disarm him.

DHS said the agent who fired did so fearing for his life and confirmed the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the shooting, protesters gathered nearby, blowing whistles, tracking agents and demanding arrests. Law enforcement ultimately used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the crowd after agitators refused to leave the area.

The incident underscores growing tensions in Minneapolis, where federal officers say organized anti-ICE groups are deliberately interfering with lawful enforcement operations, escalating confrontations and putting both agents and civilians at risk.

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