Multiple videos captured by bystanders have shed light on the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a Border Patrol agent during a federal immigration operation. The incident resulted in the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti and has been widely criticized as an instance of excessive force by federal officers perceived as inadequately trained for such confrontations.
The Department of Homeland Security and federal authorities have characterized the shooting as a defensive act after Pretti allegedly approached the agents while armed. However, a detailed review of various videos by reporters presents a different scenario. The recordings show Pretti holding only a mobile phone during the approximately 30-second struggle that occurred around 9 a.m. on a recent Saturday morning. There is no visible evidence in the footage of Pretti brandishing a weapon at that moment, contradicting the official narrative of him directly threatening the officers.
Ultimately, the officers noted that Pretti was carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, for which he had legal authorization to carry concealed. Following discovery of the firearm during the scuffle, the agents fired several shots, resulting in Pretti's death. The incident stands as the second fatal shooting by federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis within the month, the first having involved Renee Good on January 7.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who viewed one of the videos, described witnessing "more than six masked agents attacking one of our constituents, shooting him to death." Mayor Frey has also criticized what he describes as an aggressive federal immigration initiative -- dubbed Operation Metro Surge -- that he says amounts to an invasion of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
On the federal side, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asserted that Pretti attacked officers, while Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino claimed that Pretti intended to inflict "maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." Additionally, President Donald Trump's deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, referred to Pretti on social media as "a would-be assassin." These statements highlight starkly differing perspectives on the incident.
The shooting happened during a law enforcement effort targeting a man unlawfully present in the U.S. facing charges of domestic assault, according to Commander Bovino. The operation was disrupted by protesters attempting to interfere, who used whistles, car horns, and vocal protest to oppose the officers' actions. Pretti was among the protesters present.
Videographic evidence shows Pretti initially standing in the street, holding up his phone, and engaging verbally with an officer clad in tactical gear who pushed him toward the sidewalk. Protesters are seen intermittently moving through the street as officers attempted to maintain order. An individual is seen being handcuffed, and some law enforcement personnel wielded pepper spray during the altercation.
As tensions escalated, an officer in tactical attire pushed a protester wearing a skirt and holding a water bottle. In response, Pretti approached this other protester, positioning himself between the individual and the officer, extending his arms towards the agent. The officer then deployed pepper spray, with Pretti reacting by raising his hand and turning away. Attempts to restrain Pretti intensified, with officers wrestling him to the ground and striking him in the ensuing struggle.
Video footage reveals that just prior to the shots being fired, at least one officer, hand positioned near his belt, drew his gun and approached Pretti from behind. Following the initial gunshot, several additional shots rang out as Pretti collapsed to the ground and officers retreated, some with weapons raised.
Authorities stated that Pretti shot after he "approached" Border Patrol personnel with a firearm, but detailed context explaining whether the weapon was visibly brandished was not provided. The Department of Homeland Security maintained that officers responded with "defensive shots" following violent resistance from Pretti during an attempt to disarm him.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz voiced profound concern over the portrayal of the event. After watching the footage from multiple angles, he described it as "sickening." The incident has sparked heightened tensions in the region, leading to political commentary and criticism.
In the wake of the incident, former President Donald Trump criticized local officials Mayor Frey and Governor Walz on social media, posting images of the gun said to have been recovered from Pretti. Trump questioned the absence of local police in protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during the federal operation.