DHS, FBI Provide More Details After Border Patrol Shooting In Minneapolis

Federal authorities have identified the man fatally shot during an encounter with U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis over the weekend as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, as officials push back against claims that the incident was unjustified and place blame on Democratic resistance to immigration enforcement under President Donald J. Trump.

The shooting occurred Saturday morning during a targeted federal immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol agents were carrying out lawful enforcement activity when they encountered Pretti, who authorities say was armed with a handgun and two magazines.

Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital, was transported to a nearby medical facility after being shot but was later pronounced dead. His death quickly sparked protests near the scene later Saturday, prompting a law-enforcement response to restore order.

Federal officials said a physical struggle broke out after agents attempted to disarm Pretti. During the confrontation, at least one agent fired shots, striking him.

FBI Director Kash Patel amplified a statement from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who squarely blamed Minnesota’s Democratic leadership for creating the conditions that led to the deadly encounter.

“A federal investigation is ongoing but make no mistake – this avoidable tragedy is a result of the total failure of Minnesota’s city and state officials who have resisted federal law enforcement and created this escalation,” Blanche said.

“Federal officers are tasked with the difficult jobs of removing criminal illegal aliens from American communities. State and local politicians – and police – should be helping, not hindering, this effort,” he added.

“The Department of Justice will continue to hold those breaking federal law accountable, including those who harass and violently attack law enforcement in the name of protest.”

Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino provided additional details during a briefing, stating that agents were conducting a targeted operation when Pretti approached officers while armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him.

Bovino said agents attempted to force Pretti to the ground, but the situation escalated rapidly.

“The agents attempted to disarm the individual, but he violently resisted,” Bovino said. “Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a Border Patrol agent fired defensive shots.”

Bovino said the incident occurred at approximately 9:05 a.m. local time while “DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien” whose criminal history “includes domestic assault to intentionally inflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license.”

He added that emergency medical aid was immediately rendered.

“Medics on the scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject, but the subject was pronounced dead,” Bovino said.

Officials also noted that Pretti was carrying two loaded magazines and had no accessible identification at the time of the encounter.

“This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement,” Bovino stressed.

Following the shooting, Bovino described a rapidly deteriorating security situation as unrest erupted near the scene.

“About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement,” he said. “Crowd control measures have been deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement. This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming.”

Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, fueling criticism from local activists and some Democratic officials, who have called for further scrutiny of federal agents. Federal authorities, however, have defended the operation as part of a broader immigration enforcement surge underway in Minnesota under the Trump administration, aimed at removing illegal aliens with criminal histories from American communities.