DHS Withholds Names of Agents Who Shot Alex Pretti

Texas experts weigh in on the department's decision to conceal the identities of the border agents involved in the fatal shooting.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Department of Homeland Security has refused to release the names of the two federal border agents, reportedly from Texas, who shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minnesota. DHS cited concerns over the agents' safety and potential doxing attempts, a stance that differs from the transparency policies of some local law enforcement agencies in Texas. Experts say the decision is likely due to the public outrage over immigration enforcement, though they note the identities will eventually become public.

Why it matters

The DHS decision not to identify the agents involved in Pretti's shooting highlights the growing tensions and polarization around immigration enforcement, with federal agents facing increased threats and assaults. This case raises questions about transparency, public accountability, and the balancing act between officer safety and the public's right to know.

The details

According to the report, DHS has withheld the identities of the two agents, Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, both from South Texas, who were involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota. DHS cited concerns over the agents' safety and potential doxing attempts, a stance that differs from the transparency policies of some local law enforcement agencies in Texas, which typically release the names of officers involved in shootings during investigations.

  • The shooting occurred amid heated protests over immigration enforcement in Minneapolis in December.
  • DHS has withheld the agents' identities for more than two weeks since the incident.

The players

Jesus Ochoa

A 43-year-old Border Patrol agent from South Texas who was involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti.

Raymundo Gutierrez

A 35-year-old Customs and Border Protection officer from South Texas who was involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti.

Alex Pretti

The individual who was shot and killed by the two federal agents in Minnesota.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that has withheld the identities of the agents involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti.

Houston Police Department

A local law enforcement agency in Texas that typically releases the names of officers involved in shootings during investigations.

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What they’re saying

“Thanks to the malicious rhetoric of sanctuary politicians, they are under constant threat from violent agitators.”

— Unnamed DHS spokesperson (Houston Chronicle)

“If an FBI agent shot a bank robber or something, that would be a horrible, but routine news story, and I think you'd get the names of everybody involved. But given the controversy surrounding the current immigration enforcement efforts, and a lot of the vitriol directed against the agents, I can kind of see where DHS is coming from.”

— Jeff Bumgarner, Director of Texas State University's School of Criminal Justice & Criminology (Houston Chronicle)

“I know there's a lot of polarization with ICE right now, but I've been in law enforcement for a long time, and this demonization of law enforcement, our federal agents, it's truly very dangerous. It's leading to anarchy, chaos, and it's undermining a rule of law in these cities.”

— Greg Fremin, Retired Houston Police Department Captain (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

Pretti's family has called for the FBI and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to collaborate on the investigation and for the federal agency to share the names of the two agents and other evidence with the state agency.

The takeaway

The DHS decision to withhold the identities of the agents involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti highlights the growing tensions and polarization around immigration enforcement, with federal agents facing increased threats and assaults. This case raises important questions about transparency, public accountability, and the balance between officer safety and the public's right to know.