Two federal officers were involved in the shooting incident that resulted in the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, as confirmed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official in a communication to Congress on Tuesday. The encounter escalated when officers attempted to apprehend Pretti, who resisted, leading to a physical altercation. A Border Patrol agent raised alarm by repeatedly shouting, “He’s got a gun!”, during the struggle.
According to the notification to Congress, both a Border Patrol agent and a CBP officer discharged Glock pistols during the incident. The investigation into the matter was carried out by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, analyzing body-worn camera footage and official documentation. As per legal obligations, the agency is mandated to report deaths in CBP custody to relevant congressional committees within 72 hours.
The notification coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive for border czar Tom Homan to oversee the administration’s immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota following Pretti’s demise. This incident marked the second fatal shooting involving federal law enforcement in Minneapolis this month.
Trump mentioned in an interview on Fox News that deploying Homan to Minnesota aims to ease tensions. He praised Homan’s ability to collaborate effectively with governors and mayors, even in Democratic-leaning territories. When questioned about the justification of Pretti’s killing as he departed the White House, Trump referred to an ongoing “big investigation.” Some administration officials initially sought to attribute blame to Pretti, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller insinuating that CBP officers in Minneapolis might not have adhered to protocol.
Meanwhile, Ecuador’s foreign affairs minister lodged a formal protest with the U.S. Embassy after ICE agents attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis without authorization. Video footage circulating on social media captures a consulate staff member intercepting the ICE agents, clarifying that entry was prohibited. The ICE officer, in response, threatened to take action before eventually leaving.
International law generally prohibits the entry of law enforcement into foreign consulates or embassies without consent, except in life-threatening emergencies such as fires. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ecuador took swift action to prevent the ICE officer from entering the consulate, ensuring the safety of those present and activating emergency protocols. A formal protest was lodged with the U.S. Embassy to prevent similar incidents at other consulates. Requests for comment from the State Department, Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement went unanswered at the time of reporting.