Three Federal Investigations Underway Following Minneapolis Shooting Death
The fatal shooting of Minneapolis man Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers over the weekend has ignited urgent calls for a comprehensive independent investigation. This marks the second death at the hands of federal immigration officers since the Trump administration initiated its large-scale operation in the city late last year. The incident has significantly heightened tensions within the community, particularly as many crucial details surrounding the investigation remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Scrutiny Over Investigation Details and Conflicting Narratives
Key aspects of the investigation, including the identities of the officers involved and the specific evidence under examination, are still unclear. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was killed in the incident. While the Trump administration has been swift to portray Pretti as an armed instigator, emerging videos from the scene and statements from local officials directly contradict this characterisation. Any investigation into the precise circumstances of the shooting is expected to face intense public and legal scrutiny.
The Three Federal Probes and Questions of Jurisdiction
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during a Monday briefing that three federal investigations are currently in progress. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating the shooting, while U.S. Customs and Border Protection is conducting its own internal review. Leavitt stated that the administration is reviewing all aspects of the incident, allowing the investigations to proceed without offering further specifics.
Notably, the FBI, which typically plays a central role in cases where a federal officer kills a civilian, is reportedly only assisting by processing physical evidence from the scene, such as Pretti's firearm. Historically, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division investigates such shootings for potential criminal violations, but there is no current indication this will occur in Pretti's case. This approach mirrors the response to the January 7th shooting death of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, where officials stated there was no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation.
Gil Kerlikowske, former head of Customs and Border Protection under the Obama administration, expressed concern over the investigative framework. He noted that during his tenure, it was routine for the FBI to lead a criminal civil rights investigation when a Border Patrol agent used deadly force. Kerlikowske also questioned why Homeland Security Investigations, which traditionally handles cross-border crimes, would take a lead role in a use-of-force case, an area outside its typical expertise.
Evidence Collection: Firearms, Videos, and a Missing Phone
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on Sunday that the bureau is assisting by processing physical evidence, including Pretti's gun, which has been sent to their laboratory. However, Patel did not clarify whether the firearms of the officers present were collected or what other evidence is being examined.
Department of Homeland Security officials have not responded to inquiries regarding whether they possess Pretti's mobile phone or have recovered the video he was reportedly recording at the time of his death. Pretti's family has confirmed they do not have the phone and have received no information from federal law enforcement.
Investigators are reviewing an extensive collection of video footage, including recordings from activists and protesters at the scene, as well as body camera footage from at least four Border Patrol agents present. Use-of-force experts have stated that bystander video contradicts federal claims that Pretti aggressively approached officers, undermining assertions that the shooting was defensive. No public evidence has emerged to support a claim by a senior Border Patrol official that Pretti, who had a permit to carry a concealed handgun, intended to "massacre law enforcement."
Growing Mistrust Between State and Federal Authorities
The incident has exacerbated existing mistrust between Minnesota state officials and the Trump administration regarding investigative jurisdiction. Drew Evans, superintendent of Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, reported that federal officers blocked his agency from the shooting scene despite having a judicial warrant. Evans emphasised the difficulty of obtaining evidence without federal cooperation.
In response, a federal judge has issued an order preventing the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to the shooting, following a lawsuit filed by state and county officials. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison stated the lawsuit aims to preserve evidence collected by federal authorities that state investigators have been unable to access. A DHS spokeswoman dismissed the legal action as a "ridiculous attempt to divide the American people."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, called for an impartial investigation during a phone conversation with President Trump. While Trump suggested in a social media post that they were "on a similar wavelength," he did not explicitly address the investigations. Press Secretary Leavitt later affirmed the President's support for the ongoing probes.
