On January 24, 2026, a fatal incident involving federal immigration officers occurred in Minneapolis, leading to significant public outcry. The victim, identified as 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, was shot during an operation by federal agents. The encounter was reportedly captured on video by a bystander, escalating tensions in the area.
Chad Wolf, who served as acting Homeland Security secretary under the Trump administration, commented on the incident during an appearance on Newsmax. He suggested, without evidence, that Pretti was “looking for trouble” during the confrontation with federal agents. Wolf stated that the Department of Homeland Security had accused Pretti of approaching officers while armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the victim was a white male and believed to be an American citizen. Following the shooting, hundreds of residents expressed their anger, leading to clashes with law enforcement at the scene.
Wolf placed the responsibility for the deadly encounter on Pretti, asserting that his decision to bring a firearm to a federal operation indicated a confrontational mindset. He stated, “If you are a protester and you’re going down to the scene [of a federal immigration officer operation], and you decide that you want to bring your weapon, your sidearm with two clips, I think you have a certain mentality in play there that you are looking for trouble.”
The former official emphasized that individuals in such situations should not resist law enforcement. “When you have four or five law enforcement officers on top of you, you don’t resist! You don’t fight back, you don’t try to grab your gun, you don’t try to grab their gun,” Wolf added.
Despite these claims, there is currently no evidence to support the assertion that Pretti had attempted to reach for his firearm or that of the officers. It is also important to note that Minnesota law allows for the concealed carry of firearms.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, grappling with the implications of this tragic event. The response from local authorities and the federal government will likely play a significant role in shaping public perceptions and future interactions between law enforcement and citizens.
