Two federal agents involved in the fatal shooting of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave following the incident. The decision was confirmed by US officials as outrage continues to build over the killing of a US citizen during an immigration raid.
As reported by Al Jazeera, officials said the agents have been on leave since Saturday, the day of the shooting, describing the move as standard protocol. Pretti was shot multiple times during a confrontation with masked immigration officers, and video of the incident has circulated widely.
The footage shows Pretti being forced to the ground during the altercation, which escalated rapidly. The video evidence has intensified public scrutiny and prompted questions about the actions of the officers involved.
The administration’s response has only deepened scrutiny
Preliminary investigative reports reviewed by members of Congress indicate that two different agents fired their weapons while Pretti was restrained on the ground. A US Border Patrol agent reportedly fired first, followed immediately by a Customs and Border Protection officer who also discharged their weapon. A CBP spokesperson confirmed that both officers were placed on administrative leave, a development coming shortly after Trump dodges question on whether the Minneapolis shooting was justified.
It remains unclear whether the Department of Homeland Security has taken action against other agents seen in multiple videos restraining Pretti moments before the shooting. The lack of clarity has fueled further criticism as calls for accountability grow.
The killing has been widely condemned across the political spectrum, though administration officials initially attempted to justify the shooting and shift blame onto the victim. Those early responses drew sharp backlash from lawmakers and community leaders.
Amid mounting pressure, President Trump moved to reshuffle leadership among immigration agents deployed in Minneapolis. Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, whose tactics had drawn criticism, was replaced by policy-focused border immigration chief Tom Homan.
Despite the leadership change, the president’s rhetoric remained confrontational. After saying on Tuesday that he wanted to de-escalate the situation, Trump warned Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday that he was playing with fire after the mayor reiterated the city would not assist federal immigration enforcement, mirroring broader criticism of Trump’s handling of Minneapolis shootings from Ted Cruz.
Trump posted the warning on his Truth Social account, accusing Frey of violating the law. Frey responded publicly by stating that the role of local police is to keep people safe, not to enforce federal immigration laws.
Federal activity in the city has continued, with officials saying raids have become more targeted. Attorney General Pam Bondi was in Minneapolis on Wednesday to announce the arrests of 16 Minnesota residents accused of assaulting federal law enforcement during unrest tied to the raids.
Community leaders say the heavy federal presence is causing fear and economic strain. Representative Ilhan Omar said residents are afraid to leave their homes and described the situation as an occupation that is harming local businesses and eroding constitutional rights.
Pretti’s killing followed another fatal shooting earlier this month. On January 7, Renee Good, a mother of three, was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. Both families have retained high-profile legal representation. Pretti’s parents hired former federal prosecutor Steve Schleicher, while Good’s family is represented by the firm Romanucci & Blandin.
Published: Jan 29, 2026 05:00 am