Two US Border Patrol officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti have been placed on administrative leave, confirmed DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. The Department of Homeland Security sources revealed that the agents, whose names have not been disclosed, were removed from active duty and put on paid leave while investigators look into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They have been provided with mental health support as part of standard procedures and will have desk assignments until the investigation concludes.
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and American citizen, was fatally shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24. The incident has sparked nationwide protests and raised concerns over federal tactics, particularly after video footage suggested Pretti was subdued before the shots were fired.
President Donald Trump has called for a thorough investigation into the shooting, diverging from initial statements by Homeland Security officials that indicated Pretti was a threat. A preliminary government review later debunked earlier claims, finding no evidence that Pretti had displayed his legally carried handgun before being shot.
The decision to place the officers on administrative leave comes amidst growing public outcry following Pretti’s death and the recent killing of another anti-ICE protester, Renee Good, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in the same city. The ongoing investigation and protests have made Pretti’s death a focal point in the national discourse on federal immigration enforcement and the use of force by federal agents.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that 16 protesters have been arrested in Minnesota for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement officers. Bondi, in a statement, emphasized the commitment to enforcing the law and mentioned further anticipated arrests in connection with the incidents.
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