The Justice Department has initiated a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident who was killed by Border Patrol officers on a Saturday. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the investigation during a news conference, emphasizing that they are examining all aspects that might provide insights into the circumstances surrounding Pretti's death.
While Blanche did not specify the reasons for this particular investigation, he mentioned that a similar probe was not deemed necessary in the case of Renee Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis on January 7. Blanche indicated that the Civil Rights Division does not automatically investigate every law enforcement shooting, but rather considers whether certain facts and circumstances warrant such an inquiry.
President Trump has publicly voiced his support for investigating the Pretti shooting. Meanwhile, Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing Pretti's parents, stated that the family seeks a fair and impartial investigation into what they regard as a murder.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will now take the lead in the federal probe into Pretti's death. Initially, Homeland Security Investigations, a unit within DHS, was slated to conduct the investigation, but that decision was altered as revealed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Fox News interview. Noem pledged that the DHS would support the FBI's efforts and ensure that the investigation progresses efficiently.
Current efforts include a separate internal investigation by Customs and Border Protection, a subsidiary of DHS, concerning the shooting in which two officers fired at Pretti. There remains uncertainty about whether the FBI will collaborate with Minnesota state investigators, who have been effectively excluded from the federal investigation thus far.
Compounding the situation are conflicting narratives regarding Pretti's actions leading up to the shooting. After the incident, Noem suggested that Pretti had brandished a handgun and aggressively approached officers, statements that were later contradicted by footage showing Pretti only had a mobile phone and did not reach for a weapon when he was tackled by officers. In fact, videos reveal that his concealed handgun was drawn from his pants after he was already on the ground.
Further complicating the narrative, new footage emerged depicting a previous altercation between Pretti and federal immigration officers eleven days prior to his death. These videos show him confronting federal vehicles and engaging in a physical struggle with officers, yet at no point does he appear to reach for a firearm. Pretti, who held a state permit for a concealed carry, did not seem to pose a threat during either encounter.
The emergence of these earlier videos has drawn commentary from President Trump, who posited that they diminish Pretti's image as a peaceful protester, describing him instead as an “agitator” following the release of footage depicting his confrontational behavior.
The investigation into Alex Pretti's death continues amidst a backdrop of scrutiny over law enforcement practices and the handling of such incidents. The implications of the findings are expected to resonate beyond this specific case, further influencing public dialogue around policing and civil rights.
