Federal investigators now examine a critical new possibility. The Department of Homeland Security launched a formal probe. Agents may have believed they were under fire first. This followed an apparent accidental weapon discharge. The incident resulted in a tragic chain reaction. Border Patrol agents shot Alex Pretti ten times.
Pretti was a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse legally. He carried a Sig Sauer P320 pistol that day. An agent reportedly took the weapon from him. That agent then possibly fired it accidentally. Other agents heard that sudden gunshot sound. They may have thought a hostile shooter targeted them. This tragic chain reaction led to Pretti’s death.
Official statements initially described different circumstances. Authorities said Pretti brandished his weapon initially. Secretary Kristi Noem said he resisted arrest violently. She stated an agent fired while fearing for his life. New information contradicts that original narrative however. An anonymous source called the discharge completely accidental. Everyone’s guns were already out at that moment.
Video footage shows agents disarming Pretti beforehand. He had approached to assist another fallen protester. A physical scuffle with agents then ensued quickly. Investigative sources cite agent fatigue and poor training. These agents were overworked and improperly prepared. They lacked specific training for protest confrontations. One source said no agent should have drawn a weapon. This work falls outside their normal enforcement duties.
The incident highlights escalating tensions in Minneapolis. It follows another fatal shooting earlier this month. President Trump deployed a border czar there Monday. Tom Homan will now coordinate the federal response. This tragic chain reaction demands clear answers. The investigation continues amid public outrage and protests.
