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CBP Officers Placed on Leave After Jan. 24 Shooting of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti

Updated (3 articles)
  • Bureau of Criminal Apprehension police officers survey the scene near a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. (Photo by Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    Bureau of Criminal Apprehension police officers survey the scene near a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. (Photo by Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Bureau of Criminal Apprehension police officers survey the scene near a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. (Photo by Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    Bureau of Criminal Apprehension police officers survey the scene near a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. (Photo by Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size

Fatal encounter occurred at 9:05 a.m. on Jan 24, 2026 in south Minneapolis near East 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, killing 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen who worked at a VA hospital and legally owned a concealed‑carry handgun [1][2][3]. Police Chief Brian O’Hara received the first 9:03 a.m. report of gunfire and confirmed Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene after medics arrived [2][3]. Video recordings captured at least ten distinct shots as Pretti fell to the ground [2][3].

Federal agents claim Pretti brandished a 9 mm handgun while conducting a “targeted” immigration enforcement action aimed at an “illegal alien wanted for violent assault,” according to DHS officials [1][2][3]. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asserted Pretti “approached” officers with a firearm and “violently resisted” disarmament, prompting defensive fire [1][2][3]. By contrast, multiple by‑stander videos show Pretti holding only a cell phone, shielding a woman being pepper‑sprayed, and no gun visible from any angle [2][3]. Attorney Rob Doar suggested the first shot may have been a negligent discharge by the agent in a grey jacket [2].

Both agents were placed on administrative leave immediately following the shooting, a standard protocol cited by a CBP spokesperson [1]. The Department of Homeland Security has not released the agents’ names or identifying details, maintaining the anonymity of the officers involved [1]. The leave status was reaffirmed on Jan 28, confirming that the two officers remain off duty while investigations proceed [1].

Protests, lawsuits, and political criticism followed the killing over 100 demonstrators gathered at the scene, prompting police to deploy tear gas and stun grenades [2]. Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent evidence tampering, and Governor Tim Walz condemned the federal presence, calling for ICE agents to leave the state [2]. Former President Donald Trump publicly questioned the local police role and labeled the incident a “cover‑up,” adding a partisan dimension to the controversy [1].

Sources

Timeline

Mid‑Jan 2026 – ICE officer Renee Nicole Good is fatally shot in Minneapolis, igniting citywide protests and demands to end federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota [1].

Jan 24, 2026 – At 9:05 a.m. near Nicollet Ave & 26th St, federal Border Patrol agents shoot 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, killing him; Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino says Pretti “approached … with a 9 mm semi‑automatic handgun and violently resisted disarmament” [1].

Jan 24, 2026 – Bystander video shows Pretti holding only a phone, shielding a woman being pepper‑sprayed, with no gun visible, while agents push him and fire at least ten shots; Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reports receiving shooting reports at about 9:03 a.m. [3].

Jan 25, 2026 – DHS posts a photo of a claimed firearm and asserts the agents fired “defensive shots” after Pretti allegedly threatened them; attorney Rob Doar of the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center says the first shot is “highly likely … a negligent discharge from the agent” [3].

Jan 25, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social questioning local police involvement, calls the incident a “cover‑up,” and tells the Wall Street Journal that “no one should walk in with guns,” pledging a thorough investigation [2].

Jan 25‑26, 2026 – Over 100 protesters gather at the scene, chant and confront agents; police deploy tear gas and stun grenades, and Minnesota officials file a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to stop federal officials from destroying or altering evidence [3].

Jan 28, 2026 – The two Customs and Border Protection officers who fired the shots are placed on administrative leave per standard protocol, though their identities remain undisclosed [2].

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