WASHINGTON (TNND) — A web of encrypted chats and databases show that protesters were mobilized at the scene in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before the death of Alex Pretti.

The encrypted chats, reviewed by Fox News Digital, show that protesters were tracking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “abductors” and were already at the location where Alex Pretti, 37, was before he was shot.

Former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, John Fishwick, told The National News Desk that when it comes to these chats, people are allowed to communicate when law enforcement is in a public space.

"You have a First Amendment right to let the public know when law enforcement is in a public space. You can tell people that and you have a First Amendment right to do that," Fishwick said.

But that First Amendment protection disappears when there are intentions to obstruct and interfere.

"I think that it would be inferred by using an encrypted app that you're trying to keep that information private and only have certain people know it, including the folks that ICE might be looking for," said Fishwick.

Pretti was killed by a border patrol officer on Saturday while protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

The president said his administration is in the process of “reviewing everything” about the shooting.

During an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he hinted that immigration enforcement would eventually be pulled out of Minneapolis.

This comes after the death of Renee Good who was killed by an ICE officer. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said that Good was shot after she tried to run the agent over with her car.

According to Fox News Digital, border patrol agents and ICE officers were in Minneapolis to arrest an illegal migrant and protesters, including Pretti, were outside a donut shop to interfere with the law enforcement operation.

Vice President J.D. Vance said on Sunday that the chaos in the city is engineered.

“This level of engineered chaos is unique to Minneapolis,” he wrote on X. “It is the direct consequence of far left agitators, working with local authorities.”

The encrypted signal messages show that “rapid responders” who are anti-ICE were tracking federal agents outside of Glam Doll Donuts, which is where the shooting happened.

In December of 2025, there was a "how to" guide released for Chicago protesters on how to protest ICE and how to keep tabs on immigration officials. The same document was made a month later, a few days after Good’s death.

Editor's Note: The National News Desk's Geoff Harris contributed to this report.