Justice Department Launches Civil Rights Probe into Fatal Shooting of Minneapolis Protester Alex Pretti

By Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old protester, by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis last Saturday, a senior official announced Friday. The move signals a potential federal criminal inquiry into an incident that has ignited public outrage and intensified scrutiny of law enforcement tactics.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the FBI is examining the shooting with potential support from the department's Civil Rights Division, which spearheads probes into alleged excessive force. Blanche characterized the review as "standard" under such circumstances but cautioned it remains preliminary. "This is what I would describe as a standard investigation by the FBI when there's circumstances like what we saw last Saturday," he told reporters.

The shooting, which occurred during heightened tensions over immigration enforcement, marks the second fatal incident involving federal agents and protesters in Minneapolis this month. A preliminary review by U.S. Customs and Border Protection identified the shooters as a Border Patrol agent and a customs officer. Video footage verified by Reuters shows Pretti holding a cell phone as he was subdued by agents, with an officer removing a firearm from Pretti's person moments before shots were fired.

Background & Analysis: The Justice Department's involvement follows days of uncertainty and adds a federal layer to an already volatile situation. Historically, prosecuting law enforcement officers for civil rights violations presents a high legal threshold, requiring proof of willful deprivation of rights. The probe also places the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota under a microscope, with local officials expressing distrust and launching parallel investigations. Notably, the department has not yet opened a similar criminal civil rights investigation into the earlier fatal shooting of protester Renee Good by an ICE officer, a case Blanche previously said lacked basis for federal prosecution.

Community Reaction & Commentary:

"This investigation is a necessary first step toward accountability," said Marcus Chen, a civil rights attorney based in Minneapolis. "The video evidence raises serious questions that demand a transparent, federal review independent of the agencies involved."

"It's a political smokescreen," countered Derek Vance, a former police union representative and outspoken commentator. "This is a disgraceful second-guessing of officers who had to make a split-second decision facing an armed individual. The DOJ is caving to mob pressure and undermining every agent on the street."

"As a community organizer here, I see this probe as a validation of our demands for justice," shared Elena Rodriguez. "But we've seen these processes drag on without results. Our focus remains on systemic change and supporting the families affected by this violence."

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Andy Sullivan and Diane Craft)