Videos and eyewitnesses refute federal account of Minneapolis shooting

MINNEAPOLIS – An escalating confrontation between state and federal authorities is unfolding in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old nurse by federal immigration agents. The official account of self-defense, immediately put forth by the Trump administration, is being directly challenged by multiple bystander videos and eyewitness testimony, prompting state officials to take extraordinary legal measures to secure the integrity of the investigation.

The incident marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in the city this month, deepening a crisis of trust and jurisdiction between Minnesota and Washington.

The Shooting of Alex Pretti

On Saturday morning, intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed during an encounter with officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The narratives of what transpired diverge dramatically.

Federal Officials' Narrative

Top federal officials have defended the agents' actions, framing the shooting as a necessary response to a violent threat.

• Official Justification: The Trump administration characterized the shooting as self-defense, labeling Pretti a "domestic terrorist" who allegedly intended to "massacre" officers.
• High-Stakes Decision: Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, described it as "an incredibly split-second decision that had to be made by ICE officers confronting a very complicated, violent situation," noting Pretti was "interrupting an ICE operation."
• Blame on the Victim: Gregory Bovino, the immigration official commanding the operation, told CNN that "the victims are the Border Patrol agents. The suspect put himself in that situation."

Contradictory Evidence Emerges

Video footage and sworn witness statements paint a starkly different picture, one that has galvanized state and local leaders.

• Eyewitness Testimony: A court filing includes a witness statement asserting that Pretti was not facing the agents when they initiated contact. "It didn't look like he was trying to resist, just trying to help [a] woman up," the witness wrote.
• Video Analysis: Multiple bystander videos show Pretti holding only a mobile phone before at least six officers tackle him. The footage captures him being pinned face down before approximately 10 shots are fired into his back.
• The Firearm Question: While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Pretti was armed—and the city's police chief confirmed he had a lawful permit to carry—NPR has not verified any evidence of him brandishing a weapon. One video appears to show an officer disarming Pretti just before another officer shoots him.

Escalating Jurisdictional Clash

In a pointed rejection of the federal narrative, Minnesota officials have launched a multi-pronged effort to assert state authority over the investigation, citing a profound lack of trust in DHS.

A federal judge granted state officials a temporary restraining order late Saturday, legally prohibiting any Homeland Security officer from destroying or altering evidence related to Pretti's death. The move came after federal investigators refused to allow the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) access to the public crime scene, despite the state having obtained a search warrant.

"We continue to hear, and we heard it from the vice president, that these folks can do whatever they want. They can have full immunity," Governor Tim Walz told reporters. "And what I'm telling you is they will not. There will be justice to Minnesotans."

This incident follows the administration's refusal to investigate the agent who shot and killed Renee Macklin Good, a 37-year-old poet, earlier this month as she was driving away from agents. In response, Gov. Walz confirmed the state is compiling an evidence log for potential future prosecutions of federal agents.

Bipartisan and Cross-Group Concern

The demand for accountability has crossed typical political and ideological lines, signaling widespread alarm over the events.

• Democratic Rebuke: "Once again DHS has come out with a predetermined narrative that contradicts everything we saw with our own eyes," said Minnesota's U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison. "Two 37-year-old Minnesotans are now dead, a poet and a nurse, for what?"
• Republican Scrutiny: In a rare break with the administration, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a Republican, called for a joint federal and state investigation. "The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake," he posted on the social media platform X.
• Second Amendment Advocates: The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, a prominent pro-Second Amendment organization, has also demanded a "full and transparent" investigation into the shooting of a citizen who was a lawful permit holder.

Implications and Next Steps

The shooting of Alex Pretti has become a critical flashpoint, testing the boundaries of federal authority and threatening to further erode public trust in law enforcement. The immediate future will be defined by legal battles and heightened political scrutiny.

• The Legal Battle: The temporary restraining order is a significant first step for the state. The next legal phase will likely focus on enforcing the state's search warrant and gaining access to all federal evidence, including unreleased body camera footage, internal reports, and the agents involved.
• State-Level Prosecution: Governor Walz's public commitment to logging evidence for "future prosecution" signals Minnesota may attempt to bring state charges against federal agents, a legally complex and highly contentious path.
• Federal Accountability: With bipartisan pressure mounting, the Department of Justice and DHS face a credibility crisis. The decision of whether to cooperate with a joint investigation or continue to block state efforts will be a key indicator of the federal government's stance.
• Community Response: In Minneapolis, residents are mourning and organizing. Vigils have been held across the city, with many expressing fear and frustration. The potential for larger protests remains high as the community waits to see if legal and political channels can deliver what they consider justice.