Agents Who Shot Alex Pretti Are Put on Leave

Also, the F.B.I. searched a Georgia election center. Here's the latest at the end of Wednesday.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The two federal agents who shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and Veterans Affairs nurse, were placed on leave after the shooting on Saturday. Stephen Miller, a top adviser to President Trump, had previously described Pretti as an 'assassin' who had 'tried to murder federal agents,' but has since sought to soften the tone. Elsewhere, the authorities are investigating an attack on Ilhan Omar, a Democratic congresswoman who represents parts of Minneapolis, and Senate Democrats are threatening to withhold votes to fund large parts of the government unless restrictions are put on ICE.

Why it matters

The shooting of Alex Pretti has sparked a broad backlash, leading the Trump administration to try to soften its rhetoric around the incident. The attack on Ilhan Omar and the standoff between Senate Democrats and Republicans over ICE funding also highlight the ongoing political tensions in the country.

The details

The two federal agents who shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and Veterans Affairs nurse, were placed on leave after the shooting on Saturday. Stephen Miller, a top adviser to President Trump, had previously described Pretti as an 'assassin' who had 'tried to murder federal agents,' but has since sought to soften the tone, acknowledging a broad backlash. Elsewhere, the authorities are investigating an attack on Ilhan Omar, a Democratic congresswoman who represents parts of Minneapolis, where a man rushed the lectern and sprayed her with a strong-smelling liquid during a town hall. Senate Democrats are also threatening to withhold votes to fund large parts of the government unless restrictions are put on ICE, the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency.

  • The shooting of Alex Pretti occurred on Saturday.
  • The attack on Ilhan Omar happened during a town hall last night.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old U.S. citizen and Veterans Affairs nurse who was shot and killed by federal agents.

Stephen Miller

A top adviser to President Trump who had previously described Pretti as an 'assassin' who had 'tried to murder federal agents,' but has since sought to soften the tone.

Ilhan Omar

A Democratic congresswoman who represents parts of Minneapolis and was the victim of an attack during a town hall.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.