MINNEAPOLIS, USA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, that two agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an American citizen, had been placed on administrative leave as federal authorities continued to investigate the incident.
Mr. Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed on Saturday during an encounter with border agents in Minneapolis.
His death prompted protests across Minnesota, widespread public criticism and renewed calls from lawmakers in both parties for the removal of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.
A preliminary Department of Homeland Security report submitted to Congress said that two officers fired their weapons during a physical struggle with Mr. Pretti. Earlier official statements had asserted that he had brandished a firearm.
The agency did not specify when the agents were removed from duty or how long they would remain on leave.
Conflicting Accounts and Video Evidence
Customs and Border Protection told the BBC that the agents were placed on leave in line with standard procedures following a shooting. Typically, federal officers involved in such incidents are placed on administrative leave while investigations are conducted.
On Sunday, however, Gregory Bovino, a commander with the agency, told reporters that the agents were still working, though in a different city.
New video footage published by the News Movement and shared with BBC News showed an altercation between Mr. Pretti and federal officers 11 days before his death.
The footage depicts him shouting at agents, appearing to spit, and kicking a vehicle’s taillight. Officers are then seen emerging from the car and restraining him. A gun is visible in his waistband.
In response to the footage, Steve Schleicher, a lawyer for Mr. Pretti’s family, told CBS News: “A week before Alex was gunned down in the street, despite posing no threat to anyone, he was violently assaulted by a group of ICE agents.
“Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”
The preliminary DHS report said that during the fatal encounter, an officer shouted that Mr. Pretti had a gun before two agents fired. This account differed from earlier statements from the Trump administration, which suggested an agent had fired defensive shots.
An analysis of available video footage by BBC Verify found no evidence that Mr. Pretti was holding a gun at the time of the shooting.
Previous Shooting and Broader Enforcement Operation
The killing followed another fatal shooting in Minneapolis earlier this month. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who shot Renee Good, also 37, on January 7 was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Both deaths occurred amid intensified federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota under Operation Metro Surge, launched on December 1. The Department of Homeland Security has said the operation has resulted in more than 3,000 arrests, including individuals described as violent offenders, sexual predators and gang members.
The operation has drawn protests and legal challenges, particularly in Democratic-led cities.
According to internal guidance obtained by Reuters, ICE officers in Minnesota were instructed this week to avoid confrontations with “agitators” and to focus on immigrants with criminal records.
Political Tensions and Public Response
President Donald Trump said in recent days that he intended to “de-escalate” the situation in Minneapolis. However, tensions rose after Mayor Jacob Frey wrote on social media on Tuesday that the city would not alter its sanctuary policies and would not enforce federal immigration laws.
In response, Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social account: “Could somebody in his inner sanctum please explain that this statement is a very serious violation of the Law, and that he is PLAYING WITH FIRE!”
Representative Ilhan Omar, whose district includes parts of Minneapolis, said on Wednesday that she had received increased threats following Mr. Trump’s remarks. She spoke after being attacked during a public event on Tuesday evening. Police said a suspect, Anthony Kazmierczak, had been charged with third-degree assault.
Ms. Omar said at a press conference: “Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket.”
Legal Developments and Congressional Response
On Wednesday, a federal judge ordered the government to release refugees arrested by immigration agents while awaiting permanent residency documents and to return refugees transferred out of Minnesota.
In his ruling, Judge John Tunheim said refugees “are not committing crimes on our streets, nor did they illegally cross the border,” and described the United States as “a haven of individual liberties.”
After Mr. Pretti’s death, Ms. Noem accused him of “domestic terrorism” and said he had been “brandishing” a gun. Those claims were later questioned following video analysis.
Lawmakers from both parties have called for the removal of Ms. Noem and the White House’s chief immigration adviser, Stephen Miller. On Wednesday, senior House Democrats said they would consider impeachment proceedings against Ms. Noem unless she resigned or was dismissed.
Members of Congress are also discussing reducing funding for the Department of Homeland Security in upcoming spending legislation, which must be passed before February 1 to avert a government shutdown.
