The death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti during a protest in Minneapolis has prompted multiple investigations and renewed national discussion about the use of force by federal law enforcement during public demonstrations. Authorities have now released official findings regarding the cause and manner of death, while federal and state agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the incident.
What Is Known About the January 24 Incident
On January 24, Alex Pretti was participating in a public protest in Minneapolis that opposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. According to reporting by major outlets including BBC, NPR, and People, federal officers were present at the demonstration as part of a broader law enforcement response.
Video footage circulating publicly shows Pretti standing among protesters while holding an object later identified by family members as a mobile phone. Moments later, a physical confrontation occurred between Pretti and federal agents, followed by gunfire. Pretti was transported to Hennepin Healthcare, where he was later pronounced dead.
Accounts of the incident have varied, leading to intense public scrutiny and official review.
Official Law Enforcement Statement
Following the shooting, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement through spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. According to the statement, officers believed Pretti posed a threat during the confrontation.
McLaughlin told the BBC that agents attempted to restrain and disarm Pretti, describing him as an armed suspect who resisted. The statement indicated that an agent discharged a firearm after determining there was an imminent risk to officer safety. Emergency medical assistance was provided at the scene before Pretti was transported to a hospital.
Federal officials emphasized that the incident occurred rapidly and under conditions they described as volatile.
Medical Examiner Confirms Cause and Manner of Death
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office later released its findings, which were obtained and reported by People. According to the official report:
-
Cause of death: Multiple gunshot wounds
-
Manner of death: Homicide
-
Location of death: Hennepin Healthcare emergency department
-
Additional findings: No other significant medical conditions were identified as contributing factors
The report stated that Pretti was shot by law enforcement officers. In medical examiner terminology, the classification of “homicide” reflects that death resulted from the actions of another person and does not itself determine criminal liability.
Family Disputes Law Enforcement Account
Pretti’s family publicly disputed the characterization provided by federal officials. In a written statement released shortly after the incident, the family said that Pretti was not armed and was holding a phone at the time of the encounter.
Family members stated that they believed Pretti was attempting to assist another protester when agents intervened. They called for the release of all body camera footage and surveillance recordings related to the incident, emphasizing their desire for transparency and accountability.
Their statements were reported by multiple media outlets, including People and NPR.
Prior Interaction With Federal Agents
Media reports also noted that video footage from approximately 11 days before the shooting resurfaced following Pretti’s death. The footage shows Pretti involved in a separate confrontation with federal agents during a different protest, where he was seen striking a federal vehicle before being pushed to the ground.
Legal representatives for the Pretti family stated that this prior encounter had no relevance to the events of January 24. Attorney Steve Schleicher, speaking to the press, said that earlier incidents could not justify the use of deadly force during a later, unrelated demonstration.
Federal and State Investigations Underway
Multiple investigations have been launched in response to Pretti’s death.
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division confirmed that it opened an investigation on January 30 to determine whether any federal civil rights statutes were violated. The DOJ stated that such investigations are standard procedure in cases involving fatal use of force by law enforcement.
Separately, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General initiated an internal review of the actions taken by the agents involved.
Minnesota state authorities have also confirmed that they are reviewing the case. While no charges have been filed as of the latest reporting, officials have not ruled out further legal action pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
Public Reaction and Broader Context
Pretti’s death occurred amid heightened national attention on federal immigration enforcement and protest policing. Demonstrations related to ICE operations have taken place in multiple U.S. cities, often drawing large crowds and extensive law enforcement presence.
Civil rights organizations have called for clearer federal guidelines regarding crowd control and use of force at protests. Law enforcement groups, meanwhile, have emphasized the challenges officers face in fast-moving and unpredictable environments.
Public reaction to the incident in Minneapolis has included vigils, calls for independent oversight, and renewed debate about accountability mechanisms for federal agencies.
Understanding Medical Examiner Terminology
Experts note that the medical examiner’s classification of homicide is a medical determination, not a legal one. It indicates that death resulted from another person’s actions rather than natural causes or self-inflicted injury. Whether criminal charges are appropriate is determined separately by prosecutors and investigative bodies.
This distinction has been highlighted by legal analysts in coverage from outlets such as NPR and The Associated Press to avoid misinterpretation of official reports.
Ongoing Calls for Transparency
Both Pretti’s family and civil liberties advocates have continued to request the public release of all available video evidence, including body camera footage. Federal agencies have not yet confirmed whether such footage exists or when it may be released, citing ongoing investigations.
Transparency advocates argue that timely disclosure is critical to maintaining public trust, while law enforcement agencies often delay release to preserve investigative integrity.
Conclusion
The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti remains under active investigation by federal and state authorities. Official findings have confirmed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by law enforcement, but significant questions remain about the circumstances leading up to the encounter.
As investigations continue, the case has become part of a broader national conversation about protest policing, use of force, and accountability within federal law enforcement agencies. Officials have stated that further information will be released as reviews are completed.
For now, the outcome of the investigations will determine whether any policy changes, disciplinary actions, or legal proceedings follow in the weeks ahead.