Judge Hits DHS With Restraining Order in Killing of Pretti

A wooden gavel resting on a sound block with an American flag background — JUDGE SLAMS DHS

Federal judge slaps DHS with restraining order after Border Patrol agents gun down lawful gun-owning American nurse in Minneapolis, exposing dangerous overreach in Trump-era immigration raids.

Story Snapshot

U.S. Border Patrol fatally shoots Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and valid permit holder, while he filmed protests with a cell phone and aided a fallen woman.
Bystander videos verified by Reuters, BBC, CBS, and WSJ contradict DHS claims of an armed “massacre” threat, showing no weapon brandished.
Judge Eric Tostrud grants an immediate TRO against DHS, ordering evidence preservation amid a state-federal clash.
Gun rights advocates rally, warning that this erodes Second Amendment protections for legal carriers during enforcement operations.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz calls DHS narrative “nonsense,” fueling protests and investigations.

Incident Unfolds in South Minneapolis

On January 24, 2026, at 9:05 a.m. CST, Border Patrol agents pursued an undocumented immigrant at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue amid protests against Trump administration immigration crackdowns.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, VA hospital ICU nurse with no criminal record and a valid gun carry permit, filmed the scene on his cell phone while directing traffic. Approximately 28 seconds before shots fired, an agent pushed a legal observer; Pretti intervened to help the woman, holding his phone in his right hand and empty left hand.

Agents then pepper-sprayed Pretti, wrestled him to the ground with about six officers involved. One agent emerged from the scuffle with a gun less than one second before two agents fired at least 10 shots over five seconds, killing him.

DHS claimed Pretti approached with a handgun, two magazines, and no ID, intending a “massacre” of law enforcement. Verified videos show him unarmed, assisting others, raising alarms over federal use-of-force against patriotic Americans upholding their rights.

DHS Narrative Clashes with Video Evidence

Bystander footage, frame-by-frame analyzed by Reuters, BBC, CBS News, and The Wall Street Journal, confirms Pretti held only a cell phone, not brandishing any weapon before the assault. DHS Commander Gregory Bovino defended the shooting on CNN, insisting Pretti approached with a 9mm and resisted.

Witnesses and Minnesota officials dispute this, noting the gun appeared post-scuffle. This discrepancy undermines trust in federal accounts, especially when videos prioritize truth over agency spin, protecting constitutional rights to film and bear arms.

Judge grants restraining order against DHS after Border Patrol kills Alex Pretti in Minneapolis https://t.co/O7EMH318fg

— Arthur Caplan (@ArthurCaplan) January 25, 2026

Gun rights groups challenge DHS justification, arguing legal carriers should not face deadly force assumptions during protests. The incident echoes the January 7 shooting of Renée Good by ICE agents, highlighting patterns in Minneapolis federal operations amid George Floyd-era police tensions.

Federal Judge Intervenes with TRO

That afternoon, U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud granted a temporary restraining order requested by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Hennepin County Attorney. The TRO bars DHS from altering or destroying evidence, including items removed from the scene.

DHS had initially blocked state access despite warrants, prompting the rare federal judicial check on the agency. By January 25, agents were placed on administrative duty and relocated for “safety,” while BCA canvassed witnesses after Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara’s request.

Gov. Tim Walz labeled DHS claims “nonsense” after video review, escalating federal-state rift. This power struggle prioritizes evidence integrity over narrative control, a win for accountability when leftist-led states push back against overreach, though it complicates vital border security efforts.

Implications for Rights and Enforcement

Short-term, protests intensify, with Democrats like Obama and Clinton urging resistance to ICE raids, framing a “battle over truth.” Long-term, lawsuits loom, scrutinizing federal raids in sanctuary-like areas and testing Second Amendment protections for legal gun owners.

Pretti’s family, VA colleagues, and communities feel the loss, while immigrant groups fear crackdowns. Broader effects demand video accountability in law enforcement and reject “armed equals threat” biases against conservatives exercising rights. This case alerts patriots: federal zeal must not trample citizen liberties amid immigration battles.