WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has initiated a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident who was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers last Saturday. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the investigation during a media conference, emphasizing that they are examining all available evidence from that day.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will spearhead this probe. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who had initially stated that the investigation would be managed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), disclosed the leadership change during a Fox News interview on Thursday night. She reassured the public that they would cooperate fully with the FBI, providing all necessary information to ensure a thorough investigation and transparency regarding the events that transpired.
HSI confirmed on Friday that they would assist the FBI in the investigation while Customs and Border Protection (CBP), another unit within DHS, is conducting its own internal review of the incident in which two officers opened fire on Pretti. However, questions remain unanswered regarding the circumstances of the agency leadership change and whether the FBI will coordinate with Minnesota state investigators, who have been excluded from the federal investigation thus far.
In her interview, Noem appeared to retract earlier statements claiming that Pretti had brandished a firearm and approached officers in an aggressive manner. Footage that has surfaced contradicts this assertion, showing Pretti, an intensive care nurse, holding only his mobile phone as officers tackled him to the ground. The videos indicated that officers retrieved a handgun from Pretti’s waistband only after he was subdued, and there was no clear indication that he reached for it during the altercation.
Contextually, Pretti was legally permitted to carry a concealed firearm, which was not accessed during the incident. Noem noted the chaotic nature of the situation, explaining that the information relayed from on-ground agents at the time was the best they had, and they aimed to be transparent with the public.
New evidence has emerged in the form of videos depicting an earlier encounter between Pretti and federal immigration officers 11 days prior to his death. These videos show Pretti engaging aggressively with federal vehicles, even kicking one of them and being subdued by officers after a physical struggle. The videos raise questions about whether federal agents were aware of the firearm visible in his waistband but do not show him making any threatening gestures.
In light of the earlier incident, Steve Schleicher, an attorney representing Pretti’s parents, stated that such altercations in no way justified the lethal use of force by officers more than a week later. Notably, President Donald Trump commented on the situation through his Truth Social platform, suggesting the newly released videos undermine the narrative of Pretti being a peaceful protester, describing him instead as an agitator and insurrectionist based on his conduct towards the immigration officers.
The investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti has raised significant public interest, with many awaiting further developments as the FBI and DHS work on confirming the details surrounding the incident. The relationship and communication between federal and state investigative bodies also continue to be a focal point of concern as the probe unfolds.
