New Videos Show Confrontation Between Alex Pretti and Federal Officers in Minneapolis

Footage reveals altercation 11 days before Pretti's death at the hands of Border Patrol

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:31pm

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New videos have emerged showing an altercation between Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, and federal immigration agents in Minneapolis 11 days before he was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers. The videos show Pretti kicking the taillight of a federal vehicle and being forcefully taken to the ground by the agents, reigniting the national debate around his death.

Why it matters

The new videos provide additional context around Pretti's interactions with law enforcement in the days leading up to his death, which has been a major point of contention. While the earlier incident does not justify the officers' actions in the fatal shooting, it raises questions about Pretti's prior encounters with federal agents and whether there was an escalating pattern of confrontation.

The details

The videos, obtained from two separate sources, show Pretti yelling at a federal vehicle with flashing lights, kicking out its taillight, and then being forcefully taken to the ground by an immigration officer in riot gear. Other masked and helmeted officers then surround Pretti and try to subdue him, before deploying tear gas and withdrawing. Pretti is seen walking away and checking on others involved in the melee.

  • The incident occurred 11 days before Pretti was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers on January 24, 2026.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center who was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers on January 24, 2026.

Steve Schleicher

A Minneapolis-based attorney representing Pretti's parents.

Max Shapiro

A witness who filmed one of the videos of the altercation between Pretti and federal agents.

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What they’re saying

“A week before Alex was gunned down in the street — despite posing no threat to anyone — he was violently assaulted by a group of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”

— Steve Schleicher, Attorney representing Pretti's parents

“Just a peaceful legal observer.”

— Donald Trump Jr. (X)

What’s next

Homeland Security Investigations is reviewing the new videos and the earlier incident involving Pretti and federal agents.

The takeaway

The new videos provide additional context around Pretti's prior interactions with law enforcement, raising questions about whether there was an escalating pattern of confrontation in the days leading up to his fatal shooting by Border Patrol officers, even though the earlier incident does not justify the officers' actions.