A gun rights advocate has raised serious concerns regarding the shooting of **Alex Jeffrey Pretti**, a 37-year-old Minneapolis protester, by federal agents on January 24, 2026. Following the incident, **Rob Doar**, senior vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, analyzed video footage of the shooting and stated that the actions taken by law enforcement appear unjustified.
The incident unfolded shortly after 09:00 local time during an altercation involving multiple federal officers. Video evidence reportedly shows Pretti being subdued on the ground before a federal agent fired multiple shots into his chest. Following the shooting, federal agents dispersed from the scene.
The **Department of Homeland Security** (DHS) later informed the media that Pretti was armed with two magazines, and a firearm was recovered by authorities. However, Doar contends that the video indicates Pretti may have been disarmed moments before the shooting occurred. “This video appears to show an agent remove a firearm from the holster of the 37-year-old man before the shooting,” Doar commented on social media.
In discussions with the **Star Tribune**, Doar expressed his belief that if Pretti was indeed disarmed, there would be no justification for the use of deadly force, stating, “If Mr. Pretti was disarmed… absent any other evidence of any risk to an officer, I don’t see how deadly force would be justified.”
Details of the Incident and Aftermath
The footage analyzed by Doar illustrates several masked agents wrestling with Pretti while he is on his knees. An officer, dressed in a grey coat and cap, appears to remove an object from Pretti’s waistband, which seems to resemble a firearm; however, the nature of the object has not been confirmed at this stage.
**David Bier**, Director of Immigration Studies at the **Cato Institute**, corroborated Doar’s claims. Bier pointed out that the officer in grey did not appear to have a firearm on him and emerged from the fray holding a gun. “It’s not impossible that it was one of the other agents’ guns that got mixed up in all of it,” he noted, “but it certainly seems like it was the victim’s gun, and it was removed by the agent right away.”
Bier characterized the shooting as “much less ambiguous” than previous incidents involving DHS officers, asserting that “there’s no real ambiguity in this case.” He criticized the administration for exonerating the shooter before a full investigation could take place, suggesting a potential cover-up.
The shooting sparked immediate protests in Minneapolis, with demonstrators blocking streets and engaging in confrontations with federal agents. In response, law enforcement deployed tear gas and pepper balls to disperse the crowds. The protests follow a series of federal enforcement actions in the city, heightened by the recent shooting of **Renee Good** by an agent on January 7, 2026, which has contributed to growing tensions.
The Minneapolis Police Department has also been actively involved in managing the protests, striving to keep demonstrators separate from federal agents. Chief **Brian O’Hara** described the assembly as unlawful, urging participants to remain peaceful while addressing concerns surrounding Pretti’s shooting.
Federal and Local Responses
Following the incident, **Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino** confirmed that the agent involved had been with the Border Patrol for eight years. The DHS reported that agents were attempting to apprehend **Jose Huerta-Chuma**, an Ecuadorian national wanted for violent assault, when they encountered Pretti. The DHS has claimed that Pretti was armed and resisted attempts to disarm him, leading to the fatal shot being fired.
Details from the DHS indicate that Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene. Minneapolis police records show that he had no significant criminal history, with only minor parking violations noted. Chief O’Hara added that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.
Friends and colleagues of Pretti have expressed their grief, describing him as a compassionate individual who dedicated his career to caring for military veterans. He worked at the **Veterans Health Administration** and had a reported annual income of **$90,783** in 2023.
Ruth Anway, a fellow nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, reflected on their time working together, saying, “He was a really good guy. He definitely did not deserve to get killed.” The University of Minnesota alumnus was politically engaged and well-informed, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
As Minneapolis grapples with the fallout from this incident and the ongoing protests, the community remains on edge, demanding transparency and accountability from law enforcement officials. The situation continues to develop, with many looking to the outcome of investigations into the shooting and the broader implications for federal enforcement in urban areas.
