The United States Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse and activist Alex Pretti by immigration officers, amid escalating protests and growing political fallout across Minnesota.
The announcement was made on Friday by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who confirmed that federal investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which occurred during protests against aggressive immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities.
Blanche said the investigation would be conducted in line with standard Justice Department procedures, including a review of video evidence, interviews with witnesses, and an assessment of whether Pretti’s civil rights were violated.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation will lead the probe, following criticism that earlier inquiries were too limited in scope.
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who worked at a Minneapolis veterans’ hospital, was shot dead last Saturday during a protest targeting intensified immigration raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, border patrol agents, and other federal units. His death has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s renewed mass deportation campaign.
Federal officials confirmed that Pretti was the third person shot during the recent surge of immigration enforcement personnel deployed to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.
He was the second to die following the fatal shooting of Renee Good earlier this month. No federal civil rights investigation has been opened into Good’s death.
The Justice Department’s move marks a significant shift from the Department of Homeland Security’s initial handling of the case, which had suggested a narrower internal review.
The change comes amid mounting public pressure, protests, and conflicting accounts from government officials regarding what happened on the night of Pretti’s killing.
Protests have continued daily across Minneapolis and surrounding communities, with demonstrators gathering outside federal buildings despite freezing temperatures.
Many protesters say they are demanding accountability and an end to what they describe as militarized immigration enforcement tactics.
Several witnesses and video recordings appear to contradict early official claims that Pretti had posed a threat to officers. Footage shows him holding a mobile phone while attempting to shield another protester before being tackled and shot. He was legally permitted to carry a firearm, but did not appear to reach for it during the confrontation.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has since acknowledged that some of the information she initially shared following the shooting may have been inaccurate.
In a televised interview, she described the situation as “chaotic” and said early reports relied heavily on accounts from officers on the scene.
Despite this, senior figures within the administration moved quickly to portray Pretti as dangerous. Former border patrol commander Greg Bovino, who was later removed from his role in Minneapolis, accused Pretti of intending to harm officers.
Other officials publicly labeled him a “domestic terrorist,” statements that sparked outrage among local leaders and civil rights advocates.
Two videos released this week showing a separate confrontation between Pretti and federal officers 11 days before his death have added complexity to the case.
In the footage, Pretti is seen yelling at federal vehicles, spitting, and damaging a taillight before being restrained. His family’s attorney has stressed that the earlier incident does not justify the use of lethal force days later.
Former president Donald Trump also weighed in, claiming the newly released videos undermined portrayals of Pretti as a peaceful protester. His remarks have drawn criticism from civil rights groups, who argue that inflammatory rhetoric risks prejudicing an ongoing federal investigation.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have both condemned the federal response, describing the deployment of immigration agents as an “invasion” that has destabilized local communities.
Calls for Secretary Noem’s resignation have grown, including from some Republican lawmakers.
As the federal investigation begins, demonstrators say they have no plans to back down.
Protesters continue to demand transparency, justice for Alex Pretti, and a broader review of immigration enforcement practices under the current administration.
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