Federal Department of Homeland Security officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis have broken their silence, offering a first public account of the confrontation that left the 37-year-old dead and ignited protests.
In their statement, the agents said they believed Pretti was armed and posed an immediate danger during the enforcement action in which he was shot. They described seeing what they thought were multiple bullet impacts on Pretti’s body, leading them to conclude he was armed and prompting them to open fire in what they characterized as a self-defense response.
The officers said that their priority was to neutralize what they perceived as an escalating threat, and they denied suggestions that they failed to attempt to assist Pretti after he was wounded. They maintained that their actions throughout the incident were consistent with training and protocol for handling armed confrontations.
The revelation from the agents comes amid ongoing tension in Minneapolis, where community members and local leaders have demanded transparency and independent review of the shooting. Video footage circulating online has raised questions about the circumstances of the encounter, including what Pretti was holding at the time he was confronted by law enforcement.
Minnesota officials have called for a thorough investigation and the release of all evidence, saying that the public deserves clarity on how events unfolded. As the debate continues, federal and local authorities are working to piece together a full timeline based on body camera footage, witness accounts, and forensic analysis.
The DHS officers’ statement is the most detailed explanation yet from the federal side, and it deepens the conversation around use of force, law enforcement accountability, and public trust in policing practices.