A legally armed VA nurse was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis, but DHS has quietly abandoned its inflammatory claim that those agents faced a “violent riot,” raising serious questions about federal overreach and the protection of Second Amendment rights.
Story Snapshot
- Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old VA nurse with a legal carry permit, was killed by CBP and Border Patrol agents who fired 10 shots in five seconds while he was pinned or motionless
- DHS initially claimed Pretti intended to “massacre law enforcement” during a riot, but video evidence shows he held only a cell phone and never drew his holstered weapon
- A DHS internal report obtained by ABC News omits any mention of a “violent riot” or Pretti reaching for his gun, contradicting the administration’s original narrative
- Gun rights advocates, including the NRA, rejected the “massacre” framing, noting Pretti exercised his constitutional right to carry without posing a threat
Federal Agents Kill Armed Citizen Who Never Drew Weapon
On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti was directing traffic across from a Minneapolis doughnut shop when CBP and Border Patrol agents pursuing an immigration suspect pepper-sprayed and tackled him. Within eight seconds of pinning Pretti to the ground, an agent yelled “He’s got a gun.” Five seconds later, two agents opened fire with their Glock pistols, discharging at least 10 rounds. Video footage from Reuters, BBC, The New York Times, CNN, and The Guardian confirmed Pretti held a cell phone, not a firearm. His legally carried handgun remained holstered throughout the encounter and was removed by an officer before the shooting began.
DHS Abandons “Violent Riot” Narrative After Evidence Emerges
Department of Homeland Security officials initially characterized the scene as a chaotic riot with Pretti posing an imminent threat to law enforcement. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed Pretti aimed to “massacre” officers, while the administration blamed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for inciting violence. However, a DHS internal report obtained by ABC News around January 28 acknowledged two agents fired but conspicuously omitted any reference to Pretti reaching for his weapon or agents confronting a riot. This retreat undermines the justification federal authorities offered for using lethal force against a citizen exercising his constitutional rights.
Constitutional Concerns Mount Over Use of Force
The incident occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a Trump administration immigration enforcement initiative launched after protests erupted following another ICE agent killing on January 7. Pretti, who lived less than two miles from the shooting scene, was legally permitted to carry a concealed handgun under Minnesota law. Gun rights organizations noted the troubling precedent: a law-abiding American carrying a firearm for self-defense was killed by federal agents despite never presenting a weapon. A physician witness at the scene reported agents prioritized counting expended rounds over rendering medical aid to Pretti, who sustained at least three wounds to his back. This pattern of federal overreach, compounded by false claims about criminal suspects with only minor traffic offenses, raises alarms about government accountability and respect for constitutional liberties.
Kristi Noem and Gregory Bovino said the DHS employees who killed Alex Pretti were dealing with "a violent riot." DHS now describes the threat as "several civilians" who were "yelling and blowing whistles." https://t.co/tL8GtVpk0P
— Jacob Sullum (@jacobsullum) January 29, 2026
Investigation Continues as Contradictions Pile Up
Video evidence from Pretti’s January 13 encounter with ICE agents, which occurred 11 days before his death, surfaced on January 29, showing prior aggressive federal conduct. His family insisted this earlier scuffle provided no justification for lethal force. DHS officials also falsely claimed the immigration suspect agents pursued had a “significant criminal history,” but Minnesota Department of Corrections records revealed only old misdemeanor traffic offenses. No agent has faced charges as the investigation proceeds. The shifting official narrative from “armed rioter” to silent acknowledgment of a holstered weapon demonstrates a troubling willingness to distort facts to justify federal actions, undermining trust in law enforcement and threatening the rights of legally armed citizens who depend on Second Amendment protections.
Sources:
Killing of Alex Pretti – Wikipedia
