Minneapolis ICE Shooting Videos Dispute Official Federal Narrative/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Newly surfaced bystander videos contradict the Department of Homeland Security’s narrative about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis. Use-of-force experts and law enforcement leaders are calling for an independent investigation, as growing scrutiny mounts over the Trump administration’s justification. The lack of transparency and evidence tampering allegations further undermine DHS credibility.
Minneapolis Shooting Video Fallout – Quick Looks
- 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent during a DHS operation
- Federal officials claimed Pretti posed a deadly threat, but bystander footage shows him only holding a cellphone
- Use-of-force experts say the videos undermine DHS’s justification of defensive gunfire
- The NRA and policing professionals have criticized early public comments from Trump officials
- State investigators say they were blocked from accessing the crime scene
- Federal officers reportedly removed evidence and released misleading gun photos
- Legal experts call the DHS response “amateur hour” and warn of lasting damage to law enforcement credibility
- National police groups urge the White House to launch a full interagency review
- Footage shows Pretti was shot in the back, prompting calls for civil rights investigations
- Federal officials have not released phone video recorded by Pretti at the time of his death
Deep Look
Bystander Videos Contradict Federal Narrative in Fatal Minneapolis ICE Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Law enforcement leaders, use-of-force experts, and civil rights advocates are raising serious concerns about the Department of Homeland Security’s handling of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, by a federal agent during a Minneapolis immigration operation.
Contrary to federal statements, multiple bystander videos appear to show Pretti unarmed and holding a cellphone, not a gun, when he was shot multiple times — including in the back — by a masked Border Patrol officer. The incident has since triggered a wave of bipartisan demands for transparency, an outcry from policing professionals, and further scrutiny of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown.
Video Evidence Undermines Federal Justification
Immediately after the January 24 shooting, top Trump administration officials asserted that Pretti approached officers while armed, justifying the use of deadly force. Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff, even labeled Pretti a “would-be assassin,” while federal prosecutor Bill Essayli claimed the killing was legally justified.
However, policing experts now say those claims are premature — and potentially false.
“There is nothing to confirm DHS’s official narrative,” said Seth Stoughton, a former officer and nationally recognized use-of-force expert. “Possession of a weapon alone is not justification for lethal force.”
Stoughton added that “professional scorn” exists behind the scenes in the law enforcement community over how DHS is handling the aftermath.
What the Videos Show
At least six bystander videos reviewed by AP and experts show Pretti:
- Holding a mobile phone, not a gun
- Being tackled and then shot multiple times, including in the back
- An officer yelling “gun, gun” before another officer appears to pull a handgun from Pretti’s waistband
- No visible threatening behavior from Pretti prior to the shots
The videos do not support claims that Pretti was preparing to “massacre law enforcement,” as alleged by Border Patrol official Greg Bovino.
“The crucial question is: when, if at all, was the weapon visible or being used in a threatening way?” said Charles “Joe” Key, a longtime police trainer and force expert.
Evidence Mishandling and State-Federal Conflict
Minnesota officials, including the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), attempted to access the scene under a state-issued search warrant but were blocked by federal authorities. In response, a judge granted an emergency order to preserve evidence, preventing DHS from altering or destroying materials related to the shooting.
Despite this, DHS posted a photo of a gun and magazine on X (formerly Twitter) before Pretti’s family was even notified — raising serious concerns about evidence tampering.
“The weapon was apparently removed from the scene, which may compromise forensic integrity,” state investigators said.
Bystander footage shows a loaded 9mm Sig Sauer pistol and one magazine displayed on a car seat — not two loaded magazines, as claimed by DHS.
Policing Professionals Demand Answers
The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Executive Research Forum have publicly urged the White House to convene an emergency interagency discussion about force use policy and federal-state cooperation.
“Every police chief is watching Minneapolis right now,” said PERF’s Chuck Wexler. “Three officer-involved shootings in one city in three weeks? Any police department would be reevaluating everything.”
This is the third such shooting involving federal officers in Minneapolis in January, including the killing of Renee Good on Jan. 7 and a nonfatal shooting during an attempted arrest of a Venezuelan immigrant.
Political Fallout and Gun Rights Dilemma
The fallout has grown complex for the Trump administration and its allies, who are now accused of jumping to conclusions while ignoring Second Amendment rights.
“In a country with more guns than people, owning a gun doesn’t make someone a threat,” said Stoughton.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) criticized Essayli’s remarks, calling them “dangerously misleading.”
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus added:
“Peaceful, lawful gun owners have the right to bear arms — including at protests. That does not justify execution.”
Trump officials’ tone-deaf statements have also angered legal and policing scholars, including University of South Carolina’s Ian Adams, who labeled the federal response “amateur hour.”
What Happens Next?
The video from Pretti’s cellphone, which may be crucial in understanding his perspective, has not yet been released. Neither federal authorities nor DHS have confirmed whether it is being reviewed.
Experts and activists are urging:
- A federal civil rights investigation into DHS actions
- An independent special prosecutor to oversee the case
- Release of all footage, including officer body cameras and Pretti’s own phone
- A review of federal use-of-force policies, particularly in sanctuary cities
“This goes beyond one case,” Wexler noted. “This is about the integrity of policing in America.”
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