Shooting Occurs After Border Patrol Confrontation in Minneapolis On Jan. 7, 2026, U.S. Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti during a downtown Minneapolis encounter. Bystander footage captured Pretti holding only a mobile phone, contradicting officials’ claim he approached with a firearm. The Department of Homeland Security asserted he intended to “massacre law enforcement,” yet no public evidence supports that allegation. Both outlets report the video directly challenges the agency’s defensive‑force justification [1][2].

Law‑Enforcement Leaders Call for Federal‑State Dialogue The International Association of Chiefs of Police urged the White House to convene federal, state and local officials “as soon as practicable” to address the shooting’s fallout. Police executives, including Chuck Wexler of the Police Executive Research Forum, warned that chiefs nationwide are reevaluating training after three officer‑involved shootings in three weeks. Leaders emphasize the need for coordinated policy revisions to prevent similar incidents. The call reflects broad alarm across law‑enforcement organizations [1][2].

Officials Publicly Label Pretti Threat Before Evidence Reviewed Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller posted on social media that Pretti was a “would‑be assassin” before the scene was processed. Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli added that approaching officers with a gun would likely justify lethal force, drawing criticism from the NRA. Their statements preceded any forensic analysis of the seized weapon or the phone video. This pre‑emptive labeling intensified public outrage and raised due‑process concerns [1][2].

DHS Releases Handgun Photo Amid Evidence‑Handling Concerns The Department of Homeland Security posted an X‑platform image of a seized 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol, showing a single loaded magazine and omitting a second. The photo appeared before Pretti’s family was notified and lacked identifying information, suggesting possible mishandling of key evidence. Video evidence shows Pretti’s hands empty, further questioning the relevance of the posted weapon. Both reports highlight the discrepancy between the agency’s narrative and the visual record [1][2].

Minnesota Investigators Denied Access Despite Court Orders State investigators obtained a search warrant and an emergency federal court order prohibiting destruction or alteration of evidence at the shooting site. Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported that Border Patrol officers barred his team from entering the scene. The obstruction fuels calls for an independent civil‑rights inquiry by the Justice Department. Both sources note the tension between federal control of the investigation and state‑level oversight [1][2].