A preliminary Department of Homeland Security report submitted to Congress has revealed that two federal officers discharged their weapons during the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, according to notices obtained by multiple news organizations. Both agents involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, as confirmed by DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
Congressional Notification and Investigation Details
The preliminary report, originating from a Customs and Border Protection internal investigation conducted by the agency's Office of Professional Responsibility, was delivered to congressional committees on Tuesday. The House Homeland Security and Judiciary committees were among those receiving the document, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Sequence of Events During the Encounter
The DHS report provides a detailed account of the January 24 encounter, stating that an officer repeatedly shouted "He's got a gun!" before approximately five seconds later, a Border Patrol agent discharged his CBP-issued Glock 19 and a Customs and Border Protection officer discharged his CBP-issued Glock 47 at Pretti. The report does not clarify whether bullets from both officers' weapons struck Pretti.
Significantly, the report makes no mention of Pretti attacking officers or brandishing a firearm, contrary to claims made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the shooting. Multiple eyewitness videos verified and analyzed by NBC News showed Pretti did not hold a weapon during the struggle while surrounded by agents. One video captured a federal agent removing a gun from Pretti's waist area just before the shooting occurred.
Aftermath and Evidence Preservation
According to the report, after the shooting, a Border Patrol agent stated he had possession of Pretti's gun, which was subsequently secured in his vehicle. In a related development, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to refrain from "destroying or altering evidence" after state investigators were denied access to the crime scene.
Operation Metro Surge Context
The report indicates officers were "conducting enforcement actions" in Minneapolis on Saturday morning as part of Operation Metro Surge, near the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and 25th Street. This operation involved approximately 3,000 federal officers and agents deployed to Minnesota, while the Minneapolis Police Department had just 600 officers available.
Operation Metro Surge was part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on migrant communities, with federal officials describing it as an attempt to address local corruption and fraud. The surge faced significant local opposition and protests, particularly following the January 7 shooting death of local woman Renee Good by an immigration officer while she was driving her car.
Civilian Interactions Before the Shooting
The report into Pretti's death notes that "several civilians were in the area yelling and blowing whistles" during the encounter. Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers made multiple verbal requests for civilians to remain on sidewalks and stay out of the roadway.
According to the report, an officer was "confronted" by two women blowing whistles who failed to comply with orders to move out of the road. After the officer pushed both women away, one of them ran to a man identified in the report as Pretti. The officer continued attempting to move both the woman and Pretti out of the roadway before deploying pepper spray on them.
Struggle and Fatal Shooting
The report states that "CBP personnel attempted to take Pretti into custody. Pretti resisted CBP personnel's efforts and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, a BPA yelled, 'He's got a gun!' multiple times." Approximately five seconds later, both a Border Patrol agent and a Customs and Border Protection officer fired shots at Pretti.
Medical Response and Timeline
At 9:02 a.m., Customs and Border Protection staff cut Pretti's clothing and administered first aid, including placing chest seals on his wounds. Fire department medics arrived two minutes later. Pretti was pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center at approximately 9:32 a.m.
The report specifies that its findings were based on Customs and Border Protection documents and body-camera footage from officers present at the scene. This preliminary investigation continues to raise questions about the circumstances surrounding Pretti's death and the broader implications of federal law enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
