Mariska Hargitay Calls Out ‘Ethical Beliefs’ Divide Following ICE Shooting

Mariska Hargitay is weighing in as outrage grows over the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis nurse by a federal agent, and the “Law & Order: SVU” star’s Instagram post is now pulling massive attention (and a flood of emotional reactions) online. Her post comes as federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, less than three weeks after an ICE agent fatally shot Renée Good and amid a surge in immigration enforcement action across the city. Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse who worked at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was identified as the man killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

Hargitay shared a graphic message that read, “WHAT DIVIDES US NOW IS NOT OUR POLITICAL VIEWS, BUT OUR ETHICAL BELIEFS.” Alongside the post, the comments section quickly filled with supporters thanking her for speaking up.

One commenter wrote, “You are always a voice of clarity in a sea of confusion and soullessness,” while another said, “I will never understand how anyone can think any of what is happening right now is ok. Thank you for speaking out.”

Others pointed to fear and frustration over the moment, with one user adding, “Reading all of these comments is astounding. The number of people still defending the actions of this administration is truly frightening. And where is Congress?”

According to coverage, the Department of Homeland Security said the agent acted in self-defense after attempting to disarm Pretti. However, videos circulating from the scene have fueled backlash, with multiple other reports indicating Pretti appeared to be holding a cellphone, not a gun, at the moment he was shot, and that an agent can be seen emerging from a scuffle with a gun just before the fatal shot.

Comments on Hargitay’s post weren’t just coming from the U.S., either. One commenter wrote, “100% We support all of you sane Americans. Your fight is our fight / Sweden,” while another said they were watching from abroad and struggling to believe what they were seeing.

And while some replies were simply supportive, others were more direct, demanding accountability and calling the situation “not OK.”

The "Law & Order: SVU" star then shared a series of Instagram Stories reacting to the killing of the 37-year-old ICU nurse who worked at the Minneapolis VA hospital, as anger continued to build citywide over what officials and witnesses say they’ve seen in videos from the scene.

Alongside her main post, Hargitay shared multiple reposts and graphics, including one that read, “ICE out of Minneapolis now,” shared alongside an ACLU update.

Hargitay’s latest post also comes amid her increasingly public political engagement over the past few years. Ahead of the most recent presidential election, the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star appeared in a political ad that she shared on social media. The spot was funded through the One for All Committee, which says it is aimed at persuading “moderate women to vote for an America that works for everyone.”

“I’m Mariska, and if you know me, you know that I’ve spent my life fighting for girls and for women, both onscreen and off,” Hargitay’s video began. “You might not be surprised to hear that I like strong leaders who prioritize safety, accountability and justice.”

The 62-year-old actress then revealed her pick for president: Democrat Kamala Harris. “With so much on the line, I trust Kamala to uphold the law and defend our freedoms,” Hargitay said. “On November 5, Kamala has my vote.”

New details are emerging in the fallout from the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the 37-year-old ICU nurse killed by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, and officials in Minnesota say the aftermath has been just as contentious as the incident itself. According to reporting, Minnesota officials said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry and had no criminal record.

But the biggest flashpoint in the hours after the shooting may have happened off camera. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said it was blocked from accessing the scene by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) representatives, even though investigators had a judge-signed search warrant.

On Sunday morning, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the state investigative agency returned to the scene at his request, noting they were “canvassing for additional witnesses and evidence.”