Federal Civil Rights Investigation Launched into Minneapolis Nurse Shooting
The United States Department of Justice has formally opened a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, who was killed by federal immigration officers during protests on 24 January. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the significant development on Friday, marking a crucial escalation in official scrutiny of the incident that has sparked sustained demonstrations across the Twin Cities.
Expanding Federal Scrutiny
Speaking at a press conference in Washington DC, Deputy Attorney General Blanche confirmed that the investigation would examine all aspects of the shooting. "We're looking at everything that would shed light on that day," Blanche stated, describing the process as similar to standard Department of Justice and FBI investigations involving video evidence review and witness interviews. The Department of Homeland Security simultaneously announced that the FBI would lead the inquiry into Pretti's death.
This represents a substantial broadening of the official response, following initial indications from the Trump administration that only a narrower examination by Homeland Security would occur. Notably, the Justice Department has not opened a comparable investigation into the earlier fatal shooting of Renee Good on 7 January, another victim of federal immigration enforcement actions in the Minneapolis area.
Victim and Circumstances
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse at the Minneapolis military veterans hospital and known activist, was fatally shot while protesting aggressive immigration raids and crowd control tactics employed by officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, border patrol, and other federal agencies. He became the third person shot during the surge of immigration enforcement personnel deployed to the Twin Cities area as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda, and the second to die from such incidents.
Video evidence from the shooting shows Pretti holding a mobile phone as officers tackled him to the ground after he attempted to shield a fellow protester. He did not appear to touch or reach for the firearm he was legally permitted to carry. This visual evidence has contradicted initial official narratives suggesting Pretti had been attacking officers.
Political Fallout and Official Responses
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged during a Fox News interview that her initial response to the shooting may have contained inaccuracies, after repeating allegations that Pretti had been assaulting officers. "We were being relayed information from on the ground from CBP agents and officers that were there," Noem explained, describing a "very chaotic" situation.
The Trump administration had initially rushed to blame Pretti, with former border patrol operation commander Greg Bovino claiming the nurse wanted to "massacre" federal officers, while numerous officials, including Noem, labeled him a "domestic terrorist." These characterizations have faced mounting criticism, with some Republican figures, including North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, suggesting Noem's conduct "should be disqualifying." Calls for her resignation have grown amid widespread outrage.
Ongoing Protests and Community Response
Demonstrations have continued daily across parts of the Twin Cities, with Friday seeing protesters gathering outside the Bishop Henry Whipple federal building just south of Minneapolis. Dozens braved Arctic temperatures holding placards reading "ICE out now" and "Minnesota strong," while supporters distributed hand warmers and energy bars to those enduring the frigid conditions.
Ann Pelsue, a 58-year-old who traveled three hours from Iron River, Wisconsin, to join the protests, emphasized the importance of community solidarity. "The community is really rallied, and I think it's important just to stand with them and have more people on the streets," she stated.
Local political leaders have expressed strong opposition to the federal actions, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, voicing public fury over what they describe as an "invasion" by federal officials. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has sent Tom Homan, the president's "border czar," to Minneapolis to replace Bovino earlier this week.
Earlier Incident and Political Commentary
Additional videos emerged this week showing an altercation between Pretti and federal immigration officers eleven days before his death. The footage from 13 January depicts Pretti yelling at federal vehicles, appearing to spit, and kicking out a vehicle's taillight before a struggle with officers ensues. Steve Schleicher, attorney representing Pretti's parents, maintains this earlier incident in no way justified the fatal shooting more than a week later.
President Donald Trump commented on the earlier videos via his Truth Social platform, suggesting they undermined the narrative of Pretti as a peaceful protester. "Agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist, Alex Pretti's stock has gone way down with the just released video," the president wrote, describing "a display of abuse and anger, for all to see, crazed and out of control."
As investigations proceed and protests continue, the case has become a focal point for debates about federal immigration enforcement, civil rights, and police accountability in the United States.
