The Justice Department is launching a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident who was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers on Saturday. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the investigation on Friday.
Blanche stated that the department will thoroughly examine all aspects surrounding the incident, including the events leading up to the shooting.
While Blanche did not specify the reasons for investigating Pretti’s death, he mentioned that a similar investigation was not deemed necessary in the case of Renee Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis on January 7. He explained that the Civil Rights Division does not investigate every law enforcement shooting and requires specific circumstances and facts that “warrant an investigation.”
Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing Pretti’s parents, expressed the family’s desire for a fair and impartial investigation that focuses on the facts surrounding his death.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that the FBI will take over the lead role in the federal investigation into Pretti’s death.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem initially revealed the change in agency leadership during a Fox News interview. Her department had previously stated that Homeland Security Investigations would lead the investigation.
Noem assured that they would continue to support the FBI’s investigation and provide them with all necessary information to ensure the American people know the truth and how to protect themselves in the future.
Customs and Border Protection, also part of DHS, is conducting its own internal investigation into the shooting, where two officers opened fire on Pretti.
The change in agency follows the emergence of videos showing a previous altercation between Pretti and federal immigration officers 11 days before his death.
The videos show Pretti yelling at federal vehicles and kicking the taillight of one vehicle. A struggle ensues, and Pretti briefly escapes. A handgun is visible in his waistband during the incident, but he never reaches for it.
President Donald Trump commented on the videos, suggesting that they undermine the narrative that Pretti was a peaceful protester. He described Pretti’s behavior as “crazed and out of control” and praised the ICE officer for remaining “calm and cool.”
