Federal Agents Involved in Pretti Shooting Placed on Leave, Family Retains Attorneys

Democrats call for ICE to be disbanded after lethal shooting of anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:07pm

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One Border Patrol agent and one Customs and Border Protection officer were placed on leave for their involvement in the lethal shooting of anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti. Pretti's family has retained attorneys who previously worked on the George Floyd case. The developments come as Democrats renew calls for the Trump administration to end all ICE operations and disband the agency.

Why it matters

The shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and anti-ICE activist, has sparked outrage and renewed political tensions over immigration enforcement. The involvement of federal agents and the family's decision to retain high-profile attorneys highlight the gravity of the situation and the potential for further scrutiny and legal action.

The details

According to a Department of Homeland Security notification, both the Border Patrol agent and Customs and Border Protection officer discharged their firearms during the incident with Pretti. Putting the two officers on leave is described as "standard protocol" for an officer-involved shooting. Pretti's family has retained attorneys Steve Schleicher and Anthony Cotton, who previously worked on the George Floyd case, to represent them pro bono.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday.
  • The federal agents were placed on leave on Wednesday.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old ICU nurse and anti-ICE activist who was fatally shot by federal agents.

Steve Schleicher

An attorney representing Pretti's parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, pro bono. Schleicher previously worked as a special prosecutor under Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison in the trial against Derek Chauvin.

Anthony Cotton

An attorney hired by Pretti's younger sister, Micayla Pretti, to represent her.

Kristi Noem

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary.

Thom Tillis

A Republican senator from North Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“What she's done in Minnesota should be disqualifying. She should be out of a job. It's just amateurish. It's terrible; it's making the president look bad on policy.”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the federal agents involved in the shooting to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The shooting of Alex Pretti has reignited the debate over immigration enforcement and the role of agencies like ICE, with Democrats calling for the agency to be disbanded. The involvement of high-profile attorneys and the potential for further legal action highlight the ongoing tensions and the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.