MINNEAPOLIS — The death of Alex Pretti has officially been ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, following a fatal shooting involving federal agents during a high-profile immigration enforcement operation in the city on January 24.
The medical examiner confirmed Pretti died from multiple gunshot wounds, classifying the manner of death as homicide — a designation that indicates death was caused by another person, but does not itself determine criminal charges.
Pretti was shot during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, an expanded federal enforcement action that brought additional immigration and border agents into the metro area. Authorities say agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection were involved in the encounter that ended in Pretti’s death.
What Authorities Say Happened
Initial statements from federal officials suggested Pretti posed a threat during the operation. However, video circulating publicly appears to show him holding a cellphone while filming the scene moments before being confronted by agents. In the footage, Pretti is sprayed with a chemical agent and taken to the ground before gunshots are heard.
The release of those videos has fueled widespread questions about the use of force and whether Pretti was armed or presented an immediate danger at the time of the shooting.
Federal Investigation Underway
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a civil rights investigation into the incident, examining whether Pretti’s constitutional rights were violated and whether the use of deadly force was justified.
State officials in Minnesota are also reviewing the case, though federal authorities currently maintain control over much of the evidence tied to the shooting.
Policy Changes Announced
In response to growing public outrage and scrutiny surrounding the enforcement operation, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that Homeland Security officers operating in Minneapolis will now be issued body-worn cameras — a move aimed at increasing transparency and accountability during federal actions.
Community Reaction
Pretti’s death has sparked protests across the Twin Cities, with community members and civil rights advocates calling for justice, independent oversight, and an end to aggressive federal enforcement tactics in urban neighborhoods.
Family members say Pretti was simply documenting the operation and are demanding those responsible be held accountable.
What’s Next
The homicide ruling intensifies pressure on federal investigators as the case moves forward. While no charges have been announced, the outcome of the FBI’s civil rights probe could determine whether agents face criminal prosecution.
For now, the killing of Alex Pretti remains under active investigation — a case that has quickly become a flashpoint in the national debate over federal law enforcement operations and the use of deadly force.
