Judge Blocks DHS — Evidence Tampering Feared

A wooden gavel and scales of justice on a desk — BOMBSHELL RULING

Federal judge slaps DHS with restraining order after Border Patrol agents gun down lawful gun-owning nurse in Minneapolis, exposing dangerous federal overreach amid immigration crackdown.

Story Highlights

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and permitted gun owner with no criminal record, was fatally shot by Border Patrol on January 24, 2026, during immigration enforcement.
Video evidence verified by BBC, Reuters, and WSJ shows Pretti holding a cellphone, not a gun, contradicting DHS’s self-defense claim.
Judge Eric Tostrud issues same-day restraining order against DHS for blocking state investigators despite search warrant, preserving critical evidence.
Governor Tim Walz calls the federal narrative “nonsense”; gun rights advocates rally against the shooting of a lawful carrier.
The pattern of deadly federal force in Minneapolis follows the prior shooting of Renee Good on January 7.

Shooting Details and Conflicting Accounts

On January 24, 2026, at 9:05 a.m. CST, U.S. Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis during a federal operation targeting an undocumented immigrant. Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the VA hospital, held a permit to carry and had no criminal record. Video shows him filming agents with his phone and directing traffic amid protesters using whistles to alert others.

DHS claims Pretti approached with a nine-millimeter handgun, but bystander footage verified by BBC, Reuters, CBS News, and The Wall Street Journal depicts him holding a cellphone in his right hand with nothing in his left. Two witnesses swore Pretti approached with a camera, not a weapon, while helping a woman pushed by agents.

Federal Judge Intervenes Against DHS Obstruction

Federal Judge Eric Tostrud granted a temporary restraining order against DHS on the same day as the shooting. DHS had blocked Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators from the scene despite a signed search warrant, removing evidence into federal custody.

The order mandates DHS preserve all materials, including items taken from the scene, preventing destruction or alteration. This judicial action asserts state investigative rights over federal agencies, addressing power imbalances where DHS controlled the narrative. Minnesota officials confirmed Pretti’s clean record and lawful gun status, fueling demands for accountability.

Official Statements Reveal Stark Contradictions

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino stated two agents fired at least ten shots over five seconds, claiming the shooter had eight years’ experience and range training. DHS insisted an agent attempted to disarm Pretti before defensive shots. Governor Tim Walz rejected this as “nonsense” after video review.

Minnesota records disproved Bovino’s claim of the operation target’s “significant criminal history,” revealing only old misdemeanor traffic offenses. All agents remain on administrative duty but not suspended, relocated for safety. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara coordinates witness canvassing.

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 advocates challenge the federal justification, highlighting risks to Second Amendment protections for lawful carriers protesting government actions.

This incident, following Renee Good’s January 7 fatal shooting by federal officers, escalates tensions in Minneapolis over aggressive immigration enforcement under President Trump. Protesters disrupted operations, but video evidence raises questions about the use of deadly force against non-threatening citizens.

Implications for Federal Overreach and Rights

The restraining order sets a potential precedent for judicial oversight of federal law enforcement evidence handling, curbing agency autonomy. State access enables an independent probe into dueling narratives, damaging DHS’s credibility amid verified video contradictions.

Long-term, it impacts federal-state relations, immigration tactics scrutiny, and Second Amendment advocacy against perceived threats to lawful gun owners. Public trust erodes as patterns of force emerge, urging vigilance against erosion of constitutional protections and individual liberties during enforcement pushes.