Two federal officers discharged their firearms in the incident resulting in the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, as disclosed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official to Congress in a communication sent on Tuesday. According to details provided to Congress obtained by The Associated Press, officers attempted to apprehend Pretti, who resisted, leading to a physical altercation. In the midst of the struggle, a Border Patrol agent repeatedly shouted, “He’s got a gun!” A Border Patrol agent and a CBP officer each utilized Glock pistols, as stated in the communication. The analysis was conducted by investigators from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility based on a review of body-worn camera footage and agency records, as outlined in the communication. The agency is mandated by law to notify relevant congressional committees within 72 hours of any deaths occurring in CBP custody.
The notification came following U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive for border czar Tom Homan to assume control of his administration’s immigration enforcement in Minnesota after Pretti’s death, which marked the second fatal shooting by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis this month.
“We’re going to de-escalate a little bit” by sending Homan to Minnesota, remarked Trump during an interview on Fox News. He further praised Homan, stating, “Tom, as tough as he is, gets along” with governors and mayors, even in Democratic territories.
Responding to queries about the justification of Pretti’s killing as he departed the White House, Trump mentioned an ongoing “big investigation.” Following Pretti’s demise, some administration officials attempted to shift blame onto the deceased intensive care nurse. Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, initially labeled Pretti as “an assassin” but later insinuated that CBP officers in Minneapolis might not have adhered to protocol. He cited the Homeland Security Department’s initial statements on the incident as being based on reports from CBP personnel on the ground.
In a separate incident, Ecuador’s foreign affairs minister lodged a protest with the U.S. Embassy after ICE agents attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis without authorization on Tuesday. Video footage circulating on social media captured a consulate staff member intercepting the ICE agents at the door, asserting, “This is the Ecuadorian consulate. You’re not allowed to enter.” In response, an ICE officer threatened to “grab” the staff member before eventually agreeing to depart.
It is generally prohibited by international law for law enforcement to enter foreign consulates or embassies without consent, except in cases of life-threatening emergencies such as fires.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ecuador quickly intervened to prevent the ICE officer from entering the consular premises, safeguarding the Ecuadorians present and activating emergency protocols. A formal protest note was submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador to prevent similar unauthorized entries at other consulates. At the time of reporting, the State Department, Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement had not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
