Full Breakdown
Alex Pretti’s family demands DOJ release evidence in his fatal 2026 shooting
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event: Parents press DOJ after nine-month silence
On October 27, 2026, Michael and Susan Pretti held a news conference in Minneapolis, demanding that the U.S. Department of Justice provide all evidence related to the January 24, 2026 shooting of their son, ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
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Video: Alex Pretti's family decries “9 months of silence and stonewalling” from federal government
02
Background & Context
Operation Metro Surge, launched by the Trump administration in early 2026, deployed over 3,000 immigration officers to Minnesota. Within weeks three incidents occurred: the fatal shooting of Renee Good (Jan 7), the non-fatal shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis (Jan 14), and the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti (Jan 24). Federal officials opened civil-rights investigations into each case. In March 2026 Minnesota’s attorney general and Hennepin County attorney Mary Moriarty sued the DOJ to compel evidence release. By July the DOJ turned over body-camera video and hard-drive data, but sharing stopped in early October 2026, leaving prosecutors without firearms, officers’ cell phones, and statements.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Data & Statistics
- Bullets fired: at least ten rounds heard in the video.
- Agents identified: Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa (43) and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez (35).
- Evidence withheld (as of Oct 13, 2026): firearms, cell phones, interview recordings, officer’s written statement.
- Family outreach: the Prettis reported receiving more than 2,000 cards and letters of support.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the state is litigating to obtain the remaining file and may need a court order. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota declined to comment; U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen has not explained the cessation of evidence sharing.
05
Criticism & Opposition
The Pretti family and attorney Steven L. Schleicher argue the DOJ’s refusal violates the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. Schleicher called the situation “unprecedented” and “cruel,” asserting the family is entitled to review all materials needed to hold the agents accountable.
06
On-the-Ground Reports
Bystander footage captured agents pepper-spraying a woman, then confronting Pretti as he tried to intervene. An agent can be heard shouting “He’s got a gun!” and “Gun! Gun! Gun!” shortly before shots were fired.
07
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- DHS claim vs. video: DHS initially described Pretti as a “terrorist” planning a massacre; the video shows no weapon in his hands until agents remove his legally owned pistol.
- Number of shooters: A congressional report says two Border Patrol agents fired, while the video shows multiple agents shouting and firing within seconds.
- Evidence access: State officials say the DOJ stopped providing hard drives and physical evidence in early October; the DOJ maintains no formal proceeding obligates disclosure.
08
Verbatim Quotes
- “At every turn, they have ignored us, misled us and shielded Alex’s killers,” — Michael Pretti
- “The federal government went on TV and lied about Alex. They tried to slander his memory to cover up their crime,” — Susan Pretti
- “The timing is consistent with how these types of investigations proceed.” — DOJ official
- “Ben Brewer / Bloomberg via Getty “Our lawsuit was filed to gain access to all of the evidence and our efforts to obtain it will continue.” — Mary Moriarty
- “We are in litigation with the federal government right now to secure the rest of the remaining file, which they could give us this morning if they were inclined to do so,” — Keith Ellison