Footage Disputes Official Account of Alex Pretti Shooting as Political Pressure Mounts Across U.S. Agencies

The fallout from the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti continues to escalate, as multiple videos recorded by witnesses contradict key claims made by senior U.S. officials. The incident—already politically explosive—has triggered internal turmoil within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), calls for independent investigations, and mounting criticism from both sides of the political aisle.

Contradictions Between Official Claims and Video Evidence

What Officials Said

• DHS and senior Trump administration officials initially claimed Pretti approached Border Patrol officers with a 9mm handgun, resisted disarmament, and posed an imminent threat.
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the shooting as “defensive”, alleging Pretti “violently brandished” a weapon.
• White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller labelled Pretti a “would-be assassin.”

What the Videos Show

• Multiple bystander recordings from different angles show Pretti holding a phone, not a firearm, during the confrontation.
• Footage depicts officers pushing Pretti, then piling on top of him as he shields a woman who had been shoved into a snowbank.
• One video shows an officer removing a handgun from Pretti’s waistband moments before shots are fired—contradicting claims that he brandished it.
• Witnesses reported no visible attempt by Pretti to attack officers.

Disputed Narrative

CBS, NBC, and AP analyses found a “sharp contrast” between official statements and what the videos depict, raising questions about the accuracy and timing of DHS communications.

Political and Institutional Fallout

Internal DHS Turmoil

• The incident has triggered a crisis within DHS, with senior officials questioning Secretary Kristi Noem’s oversight and the influence of her adviser Corey Lewandowski.
• President Trump has sidelined DHS leadership, appointing “Border Czar” Tom Homan to take direct control of Minnesota operations.
• Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who publicly defended the shooting, has been demoted and reassigned, with sources suggesting he is expected to retire.

Growing Bipartisan Pressure

• Lawmakers across party lines are demanding transparent investigations, citing concerns about evidence handling after Minnesota officials accused federal agents of blocking access to the scene.
• A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing DHS from destroying or altering evidence.

Community Reaction and Family Response

• Pretti’s family has condemned what they describe as “sickening lies” about their son, who was a licensed gun owner with no criminal record beyond traffic violations.
• Community anger has intensified, especially following another fatal ICE-related shooting earlier in the month.
• Pretti, an ICU nurse and avid outdoorsman, had been vocal about his concerns over federal immigration crackdowns.

Calls for Independent Investigation

Civil rights groups, local officials, and national lawmakers are urging:

• A full independent inquiry separate from DHS oversight
• Release of all unedited body-camera and surveillance footage
• A review of federal use-of-force protocols during immigration operations

Minnesota authorities continue to push for state-level involvement, citing concerns about potential evidence compromise.

Conclusion

The Alex Pretti shooting has become a flashpoint in the national debate over federal law enforcement accountability. As contradictory footage continues to surface and political pressure intensifies, the incident is reshaping internal DHS dynamics and fueling demands for transparency, oversight, and justice.