The U.S. Department of Justice announced a civil rights investigation on January 30 into the fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents during immigration raids, excluding the earlier death of Renee Macklin Good. The probe follows weeks of protests against federal operations, with Gov. Tim Walz doubting de-escalation promises while upholding protesters' First Amendment rights.
As detailed in prior coverage of the January 24, 2026, incident in Minneapolis's Longfellow neighborhood, 37-year-old U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers while filming their activities during Operation Metro Surge, an ICE crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Pretti legally carried a handgun, was pepper-sprayed, and agents fired around 10 shots after securing his weapon.
This marked the second fatal shooting in local federal operations that month, after Renee Macklin Good's death earlier on January 13. Pretti himself had a prior encounter that day: video showed him yelling, spitting at an ICE officer, and kicking a federal vehicle's taillight, resulting in a tackle, his release, a broken rib, and fears for his life.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the Civil Rights Division would investigate Pretti's case—reviewing witnesses, evidence, and issuing subpoenas if needed—but not Good's, explaining: "The Civil Rights Division does not investigate every one of those shootings. There has to be circumstances or facts that warrant an investigation." The probe is separate from DHS's review, with no timeline or body camera footage commitment disclosed.
Pretti's family attorney, Steve Schleicher, emphasized: "The family's focus is on a fair and impartial investigation that examines the facts around his murder."
Protests persist against the Trump administration's policies, fueled by the shootings. On NPR January 30, Gov. Walz expressed skepticism: "I know who I'm dealing with. I know that they're not going to keep their word." He defended First Amendment protections: "I'm not going to compromise on the First Amendment... It's foundational to our democracy."
Federal officials have barred Minnesota investigators from both cases, spurring a state lawsuit to preserve evidence. President Trump called Pretti an "agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist" citing the prior video. Negotiations continue between state leaders like Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and federal figures including border czar Tom Homan to reduce operations amid tensions.
