The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced. Blanche characterized the action as a standard FBI inquiry given the specific circumstances surrounding the incident in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will lead the investigation, with oversight and support from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. This formal review comes in the wake of intense scrutiny following the earlier death of Renee Good, who was also shot by federal officers in the city just weeks prior.
Two agents involved in the Pretti shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated on Thursday. Initial official accounts suggested Pretti brandished a weapon during a physical altercation, which resulted in two officers discharging their firearms, according to a preliminary DHS report submitted to Congress.
Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and US citizen, reportedly joined local protests following Good's death on January 7. The combined fatalities have fueled widespread demonstrations across the United States and drawn bipartisan criticism toward federal law enforcement actions in Minnesota.
Local political leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have publicly demanded the complete withdrawal of federal agents from the Minneapolis metropolitan area. The state has also formally requested a federal judge halt Operation Metro Surge, the DHS immigration enforcement initiative currently deploying approximately 3,000 officers.
Administration officials have signaled a move toward de-escalation in the region, though the practical scope remains undefined. Border tsar Tom Homan indicated the administration plans to reduce federal forces contingent upon cooperation from local authorities, emphasizing the mission would continue but be executed more strategically.
