Expert Analysis Raises Questions About Alex Pretti Shooting in Minneapolis
New insights from a firearms and use-of-force expert have raised questions about how Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
Footage suggests that the legally owned handgun Pretti carried may have been removed from his holster before the shooting, raising the possibility that an accidental discharge triggered the fatal response.
Minneapolis is again in the national spotlight following Pretti’s death during a federal immigration enforcement operation on January 24.
Pretti, who cared for U.S. military veterans at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was restrained and pepper-sprayed by agents before being shot multiple times at close range.
Federal immigration authorities, including ICE and Border Patrol, have maintained an increased spresence in Minneapolis as part of enforcement operations targeting individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully. These efforts have sparked protests, and tensions were already high following the January 7 killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in a separate operation.
In the immediate aftermath, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem alleged that Pretti had brandished a firearm and intended to cause “maximum damage” to law enforcement officers. Former President Donald Trump echoed these claims on social media, labeling Pretti a gunman and posting an image of a firearm reportedly recovered at the scene.
Subsequent video footage, however, has complicated the official narrative. While Pretti was carrying a legally owned Sig P320 with a permit, multiple recordings suggest the weapon may have been removed from his holster by agents prior to him being shot. In some footage, Pretti is seen holding only a cellphone while attempting to shield two women during the confrontation.
Adding further scrutiny, firearms and use-of-force expert Rob Doar, an attorney with the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, proposed that the shooting may have been triggered by an accidental discharge. In a post on X, Doar stated:
“I believe it’s highly likely the first shot was a negligent discharge from the agent in the gray jacket after he removed the Sig P320 from Pretti’s holster while exiting the scene.”
Doar suggested that the initial shot may have been misinterpreted as hostile gunfire by other agents, prompting them to fire. He emphasized that his theory is based on available video and should be fully examined in any official investigation.
Media-reviewed footage appears to show Pretti already disarmed and pinned to the ground when shots were fired, intensifying questions about whether lethal force was justified at that moment.
Pretti’s family has strongly rejected claims that he posed a threat. In a public statement, they said federal officials spread “reprehensible and disgusting” falsehoods about their son:
“Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper-sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”
Federal authorities have said the case remains under review. As investigations continue, Pretti’s death has intensified debate over immigration enforcement practices, use-of-force protocols, and accountability during federal operations in U.S. cities.
Conclusion
Expert analysis of Pretti’s handgun and video footage has raised new questions in an already contentious case. With apparent discrepancies between official statements and visual evidence, the incident underscores the urgent need for transparent investigation, independent oversight, and careful review of federal enforcement practices to restore public trust.