Minnesota Antifa Activist Urges Armed Uprising Against ICE Agents Amid Escalating Tensions

In the wake of a fatal shooting by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, a self-described Antifa activist and social media influencer has sparked controversy by calling for an armed "guerrilla war" against federal law enforcement. Kyle Edward Wagner, 42, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, posted a video on Instagram urging his nearly 36,000 followers to "get your f—king guns and stop these f—king people," referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal officials.

The video, recorded while Wagner wore tactical gear including a bulletproof vest, was posted shortly after the January 24 shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and nurse, during a federal raid in south Minneapolis.  Pretti was allegedly armed, and officials stated that agents attempted to disarm him before the shooting occurred. Eyewitness video captured the incident, showing Pretti being shot multiple times, which has fueled protests and clashes in the city. This marks the second fatal encounter involving federal agents in Minnesota this month, following the January 7 killing of Renee Good, which also ignited widespread demonstrations.

Wagner, who identifies as "Antifa" and sports a prominent "Three Arrows" tattoo—a symbol associated with far-left antifascist groups—framed his call to arms as a defense of constitutional rights, invoking the Second Amendment. "Welcome to America 2026 where the Second Amendment is the only thing that's gonna keep you f—king protected from literal f—king Nazi gunmen," he said in the video. He explicitly rejected peaceful protests, stating, "We're not talking about peaceful protests anymore... It's time to suit up, boots on the ground," and directed followers to rally near Nicollet and 26th Street.

Prior to his rise as an online recruiter for militant activism, Wagner was known as a cross-dressing activist in Minnesota's protest scene. Photos and reports from his earlier activities show him participating in demonstrations in women's clothing, a phase he appears to have moved beyond in favor of a more militarized persona. His social media profiles, including Instagram (@kaos.), describe him as an "entrepreneur" and "master-hate-baiter," with links to donation platforms like Venmo for an "emergency freedom and defense fund." Wagner has a history of involvement in left-wing protests dating back to the 2020 George Floyd unrest, though specific arrest records remain unconfirmed in public sources.

The video has drawn sharp criticism from conservative commentators, who label it as incitement to domestic terrorism. Journalist Andy Ngo highlighted Wagner's background and branding, comparing his Antifa tattoo to neo-Nazi symbols. On the other hand, some left-leaning voices on social media have defended the outrage over the shooting, viewing it as another example of excessive force by federal agents, though few have endorsed Wagner's call for violence. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the incident but has not commented directly on Wagner's statements.

Federal authorities, including the FBI, have not issued a specific response to Wagner's video, but increased scrutiny of Antifa-linked activities in Minneapolis is ongoing amid fears of further unrest. Protests following Pretti's death have already led to street closures and a heavy law enforcement presence.

This incident underscores the deepening divide over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, with critics arguing that such raids disproportionately affect communities and escalate violence.  Supporters of the operations maintain that agents acted in self-defense against an armed individual.

WECU News will continue to monitor developments in Minneapolis as tensions remain high. For more updates, follow @NewsWecu on X.