A preliminary report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, 37, was provided to Congress today. CBS news obtained a copy of the report, which is reprinted below.
Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday January 24th, during a struggle to take Pretti into custody for obstructing their operation. Pretti has been identified as a member of an “ICE” watch group that follows, documents, and attempts to impede ICE’s immigration enforcement effort.
During the struggle, an agent yelled, “He’s got a gun” multiple times. The report indicates two different agents, one from the United States Border Patrol (USPS) and another from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) both fired rounds at Pretti. Two agents firing near simultaneously indicates two separate law enforcement officers perceived a threat at the same moment.
There is no indication in the report that Pretti’s gun was fired. The report states that a third USPS agent reported after the shooting that he had possession of Pretti’s gun, apparently confirming that the agent had disarmed Pretti during the struggle as at least one of the videos appears to show.
The report concludes by confirming the intent for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to complete the investigation. This remains an area of contention between the federal government and state and local authorities. Border Czar Tom Homan, who arrived in Minneapolis today to take over leadership of Operation Metro Surge, will need to address that concern with local authorities.
In an unrelated development, CNN has reported today that Pretti had been in a previous physical confrontation with federal agents about a week prior to his fatal shooting. In that instance, Pretti reportedly spotted agents attempting to make an arrest, so he stopped his car and confronted the agents. Pretti reported to others that he thought he had sustained a broken rib in the confrontation. A week later he again chose to proactively engage agents who were attempting to make an arrest. This time he was armed with a pistol in a waist holster – though there is no indication he “brandished” or handled the gun during the fatal encounter. Reports have suggested Pretti was a valid permit to carry holder.
The DHS report as reprinted by CBS News follows:
The following statement pertains to an in-custody death that occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis, MN. This information is based on a preliminary review by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Investigative Operations Directorate (IOD) and may be updated and clarified as additional details become available. It is being provided to Committee staff concurrently with CBP senior leadership to ensure timely reporting.
CBP OPR IOD established the following information and timeline based on a preliminary review of body worn camera footage and CBP documentation.
On January 24, 2026, United States Border Patrol (USBP) Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) and Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) supporting Operation Metro Surge were conducting enforcement actions near the intersection of Nicollet Ave. and 26th St. in Minneapolis, MN. Several civilians were in the area yelling and blowing whistles. BPAs and CBPOs made several verbal requests for the civilians to stay on the sidewalks and out of the roadway.
At approximately 9:00 a.m., a CBPO was confronted by two female civilians blowing whistles. The CBPO ordered the female civilians to move out of the roadway, and the female civilians did not move. The CBPO pushed them both away and one of the females ran to a male, later identified as 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a US citizen. The CBPO attempted to move the woman and Pretti out of the roadway. The woman and Pretti did not move. The CBPO deployed his oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray towards both Pretti and the woman.
CBP personnel attempted to take Pretti into custody. Pretti resisted CBP personnel’s efforts and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, a BPA yelled, “He’s got a gun!” multiple times. Approximately five seconds later, a BPA discharged his CBP-issued Glock 19 and a CBPO also discharged his CBP-issued Glock 47 at Pretti. After the shooting, a BPA advised he had possession of Pretti’s firearm. The BPA subsequently cleared and secured Pretti’s firearm in his vehicle.
At approximately 9:02 a.m., CBP personnel cut Pretti’s clothing and provided medical aid to him by placing chest seals on his wounds. At approximately 9:05 a.m., Minneapolis Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (MFD EMS) emergency medical technicians (EMTs) arrived and assumed primary medical care for Pretti.
At approximately 9:14 a.m., MFD EMTs placed Pretti in an MFD EMS ambulance and he was subsequently transported to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). At approximately 9:32 a.m., HCMC medical personnel pronounced Pretti deceased.
CBP OPR IOD was advised that an autopsy would be conducted by medical personnel from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. CBP OPR IOD will request the official findings upon completion.
Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the incident and CBP OPR IOD is reviewing it. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was notified.
