Two federal agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti during a federal operation in Minneapolis, multiple U.S. media outlets report.
Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed on January 24, 2026, during an immigration enforcement operation that has drawn national scrutiny and widespread protest.
According to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report, two Border Patrol agents fired their weapons during the encounter as they struggled with Pretti on the street. Officials reported that one agent yelled “He’s got a gun!” multiple times before shots were fired. The DHS report did not clearly state whether Pretti was actively armed at the moment he was shot.
Under CBP firearms policy, agents involved in use-of-force incidents are routinely placed on administrative leave (with pay) while investigations continue. A DHS source told Breitbart News that the leave is standard procedure and includes support from the agency’s Employee Assistance Program.
The shooting took place amid ongoing protests against Operation Metro Surge, an intensified federal immigration enforcement effort in Minneapolis and other cities. It marked the second fatal shooting by federal agents in the city in recent weeks, following the death of Renee Good earlier in January.
Pretti’s death prompted significant public reaction, vigils, and calls for a transparent investigation. More than 100 people gathered in Durham, North Carolina, to honor his life earlier this week.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and federal authorities are investigating the circumstances of the shooting. A federal judge has ordered that all evidence related to Pretti’s death be preserved, amid concerns over evidence handling at the scene.
Family members have retained attorneys experienced in high-profile cases; attorney Steve Schleicher, known for prosecuting the Derek Chauvin case, is representing the Pretti family pro bono.
The case continues to fuel debate over the use of force by federal immigration agents, law enforcement accountability, and the balance between public safety and civil rights.
