Civil Rights Investigation Launched Following the Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti

Mon Feb 02 2026 17:18:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Department of Justice initiates an investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, raising concerns over civil rights violations in Minneapolis.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, as confirmed by US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. This decision follows public outrage after Pretti's death, which occurred shortly after another shooting incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis, igniting protests and calls for action against federal enforcement practices in the area.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, the US deputy attorney general has said.

Todd Blanche stated he did not want to 'overstate' the move, calling it 'a standard investigation by the FBI when there are circumstances like what we saw'.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the FBI would lead the investigation into Pretti's shooting, with additional support from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. Notably, Pretti's death comes just weeks after another individual, Renee Good, was shot dead by federal officers in the same city.

'We're looking at everything that would shed light on that day,' Blanche told a news conference.

Blanche indicated that the investigation would involve civil rights division lawyers as needed. Before this, the investigation was being conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as per CBS News.

Two agents involved in Pretti's shooting have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A preliminary DHS report submitted to Congress indicated that two officers fired their weapons during a scuffle, contradicting earlier claims that Pretti was brandishing a gun.

Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and a US citizen, reportedly participated in protests in Minneapolis after the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent on January 7. Both deaths have led to renewed demonstrations across the state and significant public outcry and scrutiny of federal enforcement agencies.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have requested the withdrawal of federal agents from the state capital, compounded by an ongoing legal move to halt Operation Metro Surge, a DHS immigration enforcement initiative involving around 3,000 officers.

In response, President Donald Trump has indicated that his administration is seeking to 'de-escalate a little bit' in Minnesota. Border tsar Tom Homan has conveyed intentions to 'draw down' federal forces if local officials collaborate. However, Homan emphasized that this does not equate to surrendering their mission, asserting that operations will be conducted 'smarter'.