Homeland Security Places Two ICE Agents on Leave After They Shoot and Kill ICU Nurse Alex Pretti During Minneapolis Immigration Raid

On Jan. 24, U.S. Customs and Border Protection placed two agents on administrative leave after they fired during a confrontation that killed 37‑year‑old intensive‑care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

“A DHS report says two agents fired their weapons in the shooting”

abc7chicago

DHS officials described the leave as "standard protocol," and preliminary internal reviews show two officers fired amid a scuffle, with an agent shouting "He's got a gun!" before about ten rounds were recorded.

abc7chicago

It remains unclear whether Pretti's weapon discharged.

The shooting unfolded during a larger "Operation Metro Surge" federal deployment and has prompted multiple investigations by DHS, CBP and other authorities.

Multiple outlets compiled and reported new video showing confrontations leading up to the Jan. 24 shooting, including an earlier Jan. 13 encounter.

Clips reportedly show masked officers forcing Pretti to the ground and pepper spray being used.

Al Jazeera

They also show an agent removing a firearm from Pretti’s waistband seconds before other agents fired, and moments where Pretti appears to hold only a phone.

Several outlets cite NBC‑verified eyewitness video and Reuters‑verified reporting as contradicting initial claims that Pretti had clearly brandished or used a weapon.

The shooting has intensified local and national political conflict.

“Which style would you like”

BBC

Lawmakers, community members, and medical colleagues have demanded answers and accountability.

Protests spread nationwide, and authorities reported arrests connected to clashes.

Federal leadership responded by reassigning local operational leadership and promising adjustments to tactics while defending enforcement.

President Trump both called for de-escalation at times and publicly criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey at others.

DHS moved to replace a local official with border czar Tom Homan and reported arrests of 16 people for allegedly assaulting federal agents.

Medical staff and vigil participants demanded full accountability for Pretti and for prior related deaths such as the Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Good.

Investigations, legal moves and questions about accountability are ongoing.

Federal investigators and U.S. Customs and Border Protection internal review offices have sent preliminary summaries to Congress and preserved evidence after state investigators were initially blocked from the scene.

BBC

Courts have issued orders tied to protest policing and evidence preservation, while some appeals judges have temporarily modified injunctions governing federal action at demonstrations.

Commentators and some lawmakers say early public characterizations of the incident — including officials who called Pretti an "assassin" or a "domestic terrorist" — are undercut by the CBP summaries and video evidence, and calls for independent investigations and legal scrutiny continue.