Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has faced intense scrutiny after deflecting critical questions regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. The incident, which occurred during a targeted immigration enforcement operation last Saturday, has sparked widespread controversy and calls for a transparent investigation.
Contradictory Accounts Emerge
Federal authorities assert that Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, was carrying a loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol and that officers fired defensive shots after he violently resisted. However, bystander footage from the scene appears to show officers disarming Pretti before gunfire erupted, raising serious questions about the use of deadly force.
Noem's Evasive Responses
During an appearance on Fox News' The Sunday Briefing, Noem was pressed by White House correspondent Peter Doocy about protocols for using lethal force against an unarmed individual. She sidestepped the inquiry, stating, "That's all part of this investigation. Every video will be analyzed. Everything will be looked at."
Noem, a prominent MAGA Republican, emphasised that officers "clearly feared for their lives" and acted to protect themselves and others. She referenced a video where someone can be heard yelling "gun, gun, gun," claiming federal agents reacted to that, but failed to acknowledge it is unclear whether the shout referred to Pretti's alleged weapon or an officer's firearm.
Political Fallout and Legal Actions
The shooting has ignited a fierce political dispute. Noem previously blamed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, for the incident, accusing them of encouraging violence through their rhetoric. In response, Walz labelled the shooting "horrific" and demanded state authorities lead the investigation, asserting "The federal government cannot be trusted."
Mayor Frey, who watched video of the event, described seeing "more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents, shooting him to death," and called for an end to the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge immigration crackdown. State and city officials have filed a lawsuit against DHS, ICE, and Customs and Border Patrol over the shooting.
Expert Analysis and Evidence Concerns
Rob Dobar, a lawyer for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, analysed the footage and suggested the first shot may have been a negligent discharge from an agent after disarming Pretti. This analysis comes as a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction or alteration of evidence related to Pretti's death.
Minneapolis police noted Pretti had no serious criminal history and was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit. Videos do not clearly show who fired first, and none appear to depict Pretti holding a weapon during the altercation, contradicting DHS statements that he approached agents with a gun.
Broader Context and Reactions
The shooting follows the recent killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer less than a mile away, heightening tensions in Minneapolis. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino defended the agent involved as an eight-year veteran with extensive training, while critics like Senator Bill Cassidy called for a full joint investigation to maintain public trust in federal agencies.
As protests grow and the National Guard is activated, the case underscores deep divisions over immigration enforcement and police accountability, with Noem's evasiveness further fuelling demands for clarity and justice in this tragic event.
