Federal Agents Shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Video Dispute Triggers Nationwide Police Outcry
Updated (2 articles)
Jan 7 Shooting Leaves Alex Pretti Dead in Downtown Minneapolis On January 7, 2026, 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents during a confrontation in downtown Minneapolis [1][2]. Bystander video released after the incident shows Pretti holding only a mobile phone, contradicting senior Border Patrol official Greg Bovino’s claim that he approached officers with a firearm [1][2]. No publicly released evidence supports the assertion that Pretti intended to “massacre law enforcement,” and the Department of Homeland Security’s justification relies on an unverified threat narrative [1][2].
Police Chiefs Nationwide Demand Federal‑State Dialogue After Shooting The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Executive Research Forum urged the White House to convene immediate discussions among federal, state and local agencies to address policy and training implications [1][2]. Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller labeled Pretti a “would‑be assassin” on social media, while Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli argued that approaching officers with a gun would likely be legally justified [1][2]. Their statements sparked criticism from the NRA and heightened concerns about due‑process violations among law‑enforcement leaders [1][2].
Evidence Handling Disputed as DHS Posts Handgun Photo, State Access Blocked DHS posted an X‑platform image of a seized 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol with one loaded magazine, omitting a second magazine and any identifying information, raising questions about evidence preservation [1][2]. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans reported that state investigators were denied entry to the scene despite a search warrant and an emergency federal court order prohibiting destruction or alteration of evidence [1][2]. The obstruction has intensified calls for an independent civil‑rights inquiry by the Justice Department [1][2].
Use‑of‑Force Experts Call Federal Response “Amateur Hour” Former officer Seth Stoughton and analyst Charles “Joe” Key testified that unenhanced video shows Pretti’s hands empty and an officer’s gun drawn before the fatal shot, undermining the agency’s defensive‑force claim [1][2]. Ian Adams described the overall handling as “embarrassing” for policing professionals, emphasizing that the reasonableness of force hinges on when the pistol became visible [1][2]. Experts collectively urged a thorough investigation to assess the legality of the shooting [1][2].
Sources
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1.
King5: Federal Shooting of Alex Pretti Sparks Law‑Enforcement Outcry and Video Dispute: Details the Jan 7 shooting, bystander video contradicting agency claims, law‑enforcement leaders’ demand for dialogue, officials pre‑emptively labeling Pretti a threat, DHS handgun photo, and Minnesota investigators blocked despite court orders .
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2.
AP: Federal Shooting of Alex Pretti Sparks Law‑Enforcement Outcry and Calls for Investigation: Mirrors the shooting facts and video dispute, adds expert criticism labeling the response “amateur hour,” highlights the same political statements, DHS photo issues, and the denial of state access to the scene .
Timeline
Early Jan 2026 – Minneapolis experiences three officer‑involved shootings within three weeks, heightening national scrutiny of police use of force and setting the backdrop for the Pretti incident [1][2].
Jan 7, 2026 – U.S. Border Patrol agents shoot and kill 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti in downtown Minneapolis; bystander video later shows Pretti holding only a mobile phone, contradicting the agency’s claim he approached with a firearm and providing no public evidence of his alleged intent to “massacre law enforcement” [1][2].
Jan 7, 2026 – Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller posts on X that Pretti is a “would‑be assassin,” while Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli asserts that approaching officers with a gun would be legally justified, prompting backlash from the NRA and civil‑rights groups [1][2].
Jan 7‑8, 2026 – The Department of Homeland Security shares an X image of a seized 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol, two magazines (only one loaded) and no ID, portraying the weapon as justification for the shooting and releasing it before Pretti’s family is notified, raising concerns about evidence handling [1][2].
Jan 8, 2026 – The International Association of Chiefs of Police urges the White House to convene a federal‑state dialogue “as soon as practicable,” and Police Executive Research Forum’s Chuck Wexler warns that police chiefs nationwide watch the Minneapolis case and may reassess training after the recent spate of shootings [1][2].
Jan 8‑9, 2026 – Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension secures a search warrant and an emergency federal court order to preserve the shooting scene, but Border Patrol officers bar state investigators from entry, contravening the court’s prohibition on destroying or altering evidence [1][2].
Jan 9, 2026 – Use‑of‑force experts testify that unenhanced bystander footage shows Pretti’s hands empty and an officer’s gun drawn before the first shot, labeling the federal response “amateur hour” and “embarrassing” for policing professionals nationwide [1][2].
Jan 10, 2026 (expected) – The Justice Department plans to launch an independent civil‑rights inquiry into the Pretti shooting, responding to mounting pressure from law‑enforcement leaders and expert critics for a transparent investigation [1].