New Footage Emerges in Alex Pretti Case, Raising Questions About Fatal Border Patrol Shooting

Newly released video footage has shed light on a tense confrontation between Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and VA ICU nurse, and federal immigration agents just 11 days before he was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. The incident, captured on January 13, 2026, at the intersection of East 36th Street and Park Avenue, shows Pretti yelling at agents, kicking the rear of their SUV, and breaking a taillight before being tackled and apprehended.

According to family representatives, Pretti suffered a broken rib during the scuffle, which involved him resisting arrest as agents pinned him to the ground. The video, obtained by The News Movement after a tip about agents blocking the street, depicts Pretti approaching the vehicle in a brown coat, gesturing aggressively, and then delivering kicks that shatter the light. Agents in tactical gear exit the SUV, chase him briefly, and take him down. Pretti appears to break free momentarily before being subdued again. No charges were filed from this encounter, but sources indicate Pretti was carrying a holstered Sig P320 handgun at the time, similar to the one involved in his later death.

This prior altercation has fueled speculation about whether it influenced the events of January 24, when Pretti was killed during another confrontation with federal agents. Eyewitness videos from that day, verified by outlets like The New York Times and CNN, contradict initial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that Pretti approached agents while brandishing a weapon. Instead, footage shows Pretti holding a phone, filming the agents as they conducted an operation in a residential area. He retreats multiple times as agents advance, waving traffic through the intersection to avoid disruption.

A CNN analysis reveals a critical detail: during the takedown, one agent removes Pretti’s holstered gun from his waistband just seconds before shots are fired. Pretti, pinned face-down by multiple officers, is heard shouting in the videos before two agents discharge their weapons, striking him in the back. He was pronounced dead at the scene. DHS later revised its statement, omitting mentions of brandishing and noting only that Pretti “assaulted” officers—a claim disputed by video evidence showing no offensive actions from Pretti.

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Federal VA ICU nurse Alex Pretti murdered by ICE in Minneapolis …

Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and veteran advocate, had a history of activism. His ex-wife reported his participation in the 2020 George Floyd protests, and he was known in local circles for opposing immigration enforcement tactics. Friends described him as a dedicated nurse who worked with veterans, often speaking out against what he saw as overreach by federal agencies. “Alex was protecting his community,” a family spokesperson said, confirming awareness of the January 13 incident but emphasizing it did not justify the shooting.

The two Border Patrol agents involved in the fatal shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by DHS and the FBI. A preliminary report to Congress acknowledged inconsistencies in initial accounts, prompting calls for transparency. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) criticized the government’s narrative, stating in a press gaggle, “I don’t think it’s honest to say he brandished a weapon. I don’t think it’s honest to say he assaulted officers.” Paul announced upcoming Senate hearings with DHS leaders to examine use-of-force policies, questioning if filming agents could be misconstrued as assault.

Protests have erupted across Minneapolis since the shooting, with demonstrators decrying it as an example of excessive force against citizens. Crowds gathered outside the federal building, chanting “Justice for Alex” and demanding the abolition of ICE operations in non-border states. The incident follows another recent killing in Minnesota—Renee Good, also shot by immigration agents—intensifying scrutiny on federal law enforcement under the Trump administration.

Civil rights groups, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, have called for an independent commission, arguing the videos indicate Pretti was disarmed before being shot. “This wasn’t self-defense; it was execution,” one activist told reporters. DHS maintains the agents acted in response to a perceived threat, but has not released body camera footage, citing the ongoing probe.

As investigations continue, Pretti’s death has sparked a national debate on accountability, gun rights, and the role of federal agents in urban areas. Community leaders urge calm while seeking answers, with memorials for Pretti drawing hundreds. “He was a healer, not a threat,” his family said in a statement. The full impact of the new footage remains to be seen, but it has undeniably complicated the official story, leaving many to question if justice will prevail.