Federal authorities have placed the Border Patrol agents involved in the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti on administrative leave while investigators continue to review the incident.
The agents were removed from active duty following the encounter in which Pretti, 37, was killed during a federal law-enforcement operation that sparked widespread protests and political scrutiny in Minneapolis. Authorities said placing officers on leave is standard practice after any use-of-force incident as part of a thorough review process.
The administrative leave applies to all agents directly involved in the confrontation as investigators, including federal and local officials, analyze body-worn camera footage and other evidence to determine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
Federal officials have emphasized that the leave is not a disciplinary action but a procedural step while multiple inquiries — including internal reviews and possible external oversight — proceed. Investigators are also interviewing witnesses and reviewing operational protocols to assess compliance with departmental policies.
The case has drawn intense public attention as community leaders and civil rights advocates call for transparency in the examination of the agents’ conduct. Officials have pledged to release findings when available, though timelines for conclusions have not been announced.
Placing officers on leave is consistent with federal policies governing incidents in which lethal force is used, and law enforcement agencies say it ensures objectivity and integrity in the investigative process. The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together all aspects of the shooting and the broader circumstances surrounding the federal enforcement action in Minneapolis.