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Justice Department Opens Civil Rights Investigation into Minneapolis Shooting
The Justice Department has launched a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident killed by Border Patrol officers last Saturday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday.
“We’re looking at everything that would shed light on what happened that day and in the days and weeks leading up to what happened,” Blanche stated during a news conference.
Blanche did not elaborate on the specific reasons for opening the investigation into Pretti’s death, while noting that a similar probe was not deemed necessary in the January 7 death of Renee Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. He indicated that the Civil Rights Division is selective about which law enforcement shootings it investigates, requiring specific circumstances and facts that “warrant an investigation.”
“President Trump has said repeatedly, ‘Of course, this is something we’re going to investigate,'” Blanche added regarding the Pretti case.
Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing Pretti’s parents, said Friday that “the family’s focus is on a fair and impartial investigation that examines the facts around his murder.”
In a significant development, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the FBI will now lead the federal investigation into Pretti’s death. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem first revealed this change during a Fox News interview Thursday evening. Previously, Homeland Security Investigations, a unit within DHS, had been designated to head the probe.
“We will continue to follow the investigation that the FBI is leading and giving them all the information that they need to bring that to conclusion, and make sure that the American people know the truth of the situation,” Noem told Fox host Sean Hannity.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations will continue to support the FBI in the investigation. Separately, Customs and Border Protection is conducting its own internal review of the shooting, which involved two officers opening fire on Pretti.
The shift in investigative authority comes as Minnesota state investigators have reportedly been excluded from the federal investigation. It remains unclear whether the FBI will share evidence with state authorities.
The case has drawn national attention after multiple videos of the shooting contradicted initial official statements about the incident. In the Fox interview, Noem appeared to distance herself from earlier claims that Pretti had brandished a handgun and aggressively approached officers.
Video evidence showed that Pretti, an intensive care nurse, had only his mobile phone in his hand when officers tackled him to the ground. The footage shows one officer removing a handgun from the back of Pretti’s pants while another officer fired shots into his back. Pretti had a state permit to legally carry a concealed firearm, and the videos indicate he never reached for the weapon.
The agency transition also follows the emergence of two videos showing an earlier confrontation between Pretti and federal immigration officers eleven days before his death. These January 13 videos depict Pretti yelling at federal vehicles, appearing to spit, and kicking out a taillight of one vehicle. A struggle follows with several officers, during which Pretti is forced to the ground before either breaking free or being released.
The earlier footage shows what appears to be a handgun visible in Pretti’s waistband when he turns away from the camera, though the videos do not show him reaching for the weapon. It remains unclear whether federal agents noticed the firearm during this encounter.
Schleicher emphasized on Wednesday that this earlier altercation “in no way justified the shooting more than a week later.”
President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy early Friday, posting on his Truth Social platform that the earlier videos undermine characterizations of Pretti as a peaceful protester. Trump described Pretti as an “agitator” who was “crazed and out of control” during the earlier incident while praising the ICE officer as “calm and cool.”
The case continues to raise questions about use of force protocols, federal immigration enforcement tactics, and the coordination between federal and state authorities in investigating law enforcement shootings.
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16 Comments
While any loss of life is tragic, it’s important to let the facts come to light through this probe before rushing to conclusions. I’m curious to learn more details about what specifically prompted the DOJ to launch this investigation.
That’s a fair perspective. Investigations can be complex, so patience and an open mind will be important as more information emerges.
It’s good to see the federal government stepping in to investigate this incident. Ensuring civil rights are protected should be a top priority, regardless of the details. I’ll be following this story closely.
I agree, the DOJ’s involvement signals they see enough cause for concern to warrant a deeper look. Hopefully the investigation provides clarity.
The decision to open a federal civil rights probe suggests the DOJ has identified potential issues that warrant further scrutiny. I’ll be curious to learn more about their specific concerns as the investigation progresses.
Agreed, the DOJ must have seen something concerning to launch this type of probe. It will be important to follow the findings closely.
This news about the Justice Department opening a civil rights probe into Alex Pretti’s killing is certainly concerning. I hope the investigation can shed light on what exactly happened and whether any civil rights were violated.
Agreed, a thorough investigation is crucial to understand the circumstances and determine if any wrongdoing occurred.
Any time there is a loss of life in an encounter with law enforcement, it’s critical that a thorough, impartial investigation takes place. I hope this probe by the Justice Department can shed light on the circumstances and determine if civil rights were violated.
Well said. Transparency and accountability are essential, regardless of the specific details involved.
The decision to open a civil rights investigation signals that the DOJ sees potential issues that warrant a deeper look. I’ll be following this story closely to understand what the probe uncovers.
Absolutely, the DOJ must have felt there were sufficient grounds to initiate this type of investigation. I’m interested to see what they find.
It’s good to see the federal government taking this incident seriously and launching a civil rights probe. Accountability is crucial, regardless of the circumstances that led to Pretti’s death.
I agree, the DOJ stepping in to investigate sends an important message about the need for thorough review in cases like this.
While the loss of life is always tragic, I’m glad to see the Justice Department taking a close look at the details here. Ensuring civil rights are protected is critical, no matter who is involved.
Exactly, this investigation will hopefully provide a clearer picture of what happened and whether any wrongdoing occurred.