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

Footage emerges of incident 11 days before Pretti's fatal shooting by Border Patrol

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:15am

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New videos have surfaced showing an altercation between Alex Pretti and federal immigration agents in Minneapolis 11 days before Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers. The videos show Pretti kicking out the taillight of a federal vehicle and scuffling with the agents, who then forcefully take him to the ground. Pretti is seen with what appears to be a handgun in his waistband, though it is unclear if the agents saw the weapon. The incident has reignited the national debate around Pretti's death, with his family's attorney stating the earlier altercation did not justify the fatal shooting.

Why it matters

The new videos provide additional context around the events leading up to Pretti's death, which has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny over the use of force by federal law enforcement. The earlier confrontation between Pretti and immigration agents raises questions about whether there was an escalating pattern of interactions that may have contributed to the fatal shooting.

The details

The videos show Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, yelling at and kicking the taillight of a federal immigration vehicle during a protest in Minneapolis on January 13. Federal agents in gas masks and helmets then confront Pretti, with one officer grabbing his shirt and pulling him to the ground. Other officers surround and attempt to subdue Pretti, who appears to break free and walk away. The videos show Pretti had what looks like a handgun in his waistband, though it's unclear if the agents saw the weapon.

  • The incident occurred on January 13, 2026, 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.

Donald Trump Jr.

The eldest son of former President Donald Trump, who posted one of the videos on X and commented on the incident.

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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 (wbal.com)

“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 immigration agents. It's unclear if any of the officers involved in the January 13 altercation were also present during the fatal shooting on January 24.

The takeaway

The new videos have reignited the national debate around Pretti's death, raising questions about whether there was an escalating pattern of interactions between Pretti and federal law enforcement in the days leading up to the fatal shooting. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the use of force by federal agents and the need for greater transparency and accountability.