Gun rights groups fiercely criticize top L.A. federal prosecutor for response to Minneapolis shooting
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Top Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli faced blistering criticism from gun rights groups, including the NRA, after he posted on X Saturday about the fatal shooting of a U.S.citizen in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers.Essayli, the first assistant U.S.
Attorney for the Central District of California, wrote: “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.”Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, was believed to be a “lawful gun owner with a permit to carry,” according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.Bystander videos show Pretti holding a phone, but nothing appearing to be a weapon appeared in those that circulated in the hours after the shooting.
In response to Essayli’s tweet, the NRA posted on X: “This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S.Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong.”The post continued: “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”After receiving significant backlash, Essayli accused another gun rights organization of “adding words to mischaracterize my statement.” “I never said it’s legally justified to shoot law-abiding concealed carriers,” he posted on X.
“My comment addressed agitators approaching law enforcement with a gun and refusing to disarm.“My advice stands: If you value your life, do not aggressively approach law enforcement while armed.If they reasonably perceive a threat and you fail to immediately disarm, they are legally permitted to use deadly force.”A spokesperson for the U.S.
Attorney’s office in L.A.referred The Times to Essayli’s post on X clarifying what he initially said.
He declined further comment.Gov.
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