Names Revealed: Federal Agents Involved in Fatal Minneapolis Shooting of ICU Nurse
The two federal agents who fired their weapons during a fatal confrontation with intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month have been identified through government records obtained by ProPublica.
According to the documents, the officers are Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35. Both are from South Texas and were assigned to Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement initiative launched in December.
Gutierrez serves in CBP’s Office of Field Operations as part of a specialized response team. Ochoa, who earned a criminal justice degree from the University of Texas-Pan American, joined the agency in 2018. His ex-wife, Angelica Ochoa, described him to ProPublica as a longtime firearms enthusiast. Both agents have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
The shooting occurred on January 24 after a physical altercation between Pretti and several agents. Video footage from the scene shows agents surrounding and pepper-spraying Pretti after he intervened to assist a woman who had been knocked down. Seconds later, gunshots were heard.
An internal CBP report sent to congressional officials states that during the struggle, an agent repeatedly shouted, “He’s got a gun!” Approximately five seconds later, both Ochoa and Gutierrez discharged their service weapons.
The death of Pretti, which followed another fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis days earlier, has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about the use of force and the role of federal immigration officers in domestic policing operations.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the agents’ identities, citing operational security and an ongoing investigation. ProPublica defended its decision to publish the names, arguing the incident warrants significant public oversight.
In response to the growing controversy, the administration has reassigned senior Homeland Security officials and dispatched a senior advisor to Minneapolis to ease tensions.
Reaction & Analysis
Michael Thorne, Policy Analyst at the Center for Urban Justice: "This tragic event underscores a systemic failure. Deploying federal border personnel in a metropolitan policing context, under operations like Metro Surge, creates a high-risk environment for escalation. There must be a clear, independent review of the rules of engagement."
Lisa Rodriguez, ICU Charge Nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center: "Alex was my colleague and friend. He spent his life caring for the most vulnerable in the ICU. To see his life ended this way, by the very people sworn to protect, is devastating. It feels like a profound betrayal of public trust."
David K. Miller, Former CBP Supervisor (Retired): "Agents make split-second decisions in chaotic situations. While the loss of life is tragic, we must await the full investigation before casting judgment. The 'he’s got a gun' warning is a critical detail that can't be ignored."
Elena Vance, Community Organizer with "Justice for Minneapolis": "‘Goons’ is the right word. This was an execution. They pepper-sprayed him, swarmed him, and then shot him. Operation Metro Surge has brought a militarized occupation to our streets. These agents must be charged with murder."