Two ICE officers have discharged their firearms during the fatal shooting incident involving Alex Pretti, as per a preliminary review by the Department of Homeland Security. This review contradicts early White House statements that were used to justify the shooting. The initial report, conducted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has been shared with congressional committees.
According to the document, one officer repeatedly shouted about a gun before both officers fired at Pretti approximately five seconds later. The report does not confirm whether the bullets from both officers’ weapons caused Pretti’s death. Notably, the report does not mention any attack by Pretti on the officers or him brandishing a firearm, which were assertions made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shortly after the incident. Video evidence, verified by the Mirror, appears to dispute the initial claims.
Video footage shows Pretti was unarmed and surrounded by agents during the confrontation. One clip depicts an officer removing a gun from Pretti’s waistband just before the shooting. A Border Patrol agent later acknowledged having possession of Pretti’s gun, which was secured in a vehicle.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to preserve evidence following the shooting incident, as Minnesota state investigators were denied access to the scene where Pretti was killed. The review is based on documents and body camera footage from the officers present, indicating that federal agents were carrying out enforcement actions in Minneapolis under Operation Metro Surge.
Operation Metro Surge involves deploying around 3,000 federal officers and agents to Minnesota, surpassing the number of officers in the Minneapolis Police Department. The operation, part of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, targets migrant communities, local corruption, and fraud. The operation has faced strong local opposition and protests, particularly after another fatal shooting earlier in the month.
In a separate incident on January 7, Renee Good was fatally shot by an immigration officer while in her car. The report mentions civilian presence in the area, with some individuals not complying with officer commands to stay on the sidewalk.
According to the report, Pretti resisted efforts by CBP personnel to take him into custody, leading to a struggle. During the altercation, an officer shouted about a gun, and two officers fired shortly after. Medical aid was provided to Pretti, but he was pronounced dead at a medical center later.
Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller explained that initial statements suggesting Pretti intended harm were based on reports from CBP staff at the scene. He mentioned the deployment of additional personnel to Minnesota for protection and fugitive operations. Miller stated that an evaluation is ongoing to understand why the CBP team may have deviated from the protocol.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that the initial information was from a chaotic scene, and an investigation is in progress to ascertain the facts. Miller’s comments faced criticism, including from within the Republican Party.