2 Border Patrol agents involved in Alex Pretti's shooting placed on administrative leave

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Two Border Patrol agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis were placed on administrative leave on Wednesday, January 28.

The Department of Homeland Security reportedly said the move was routine following an officer-involved shooting and did not indicate wrongdoing.

Both agents have been temporarily removed from field duty while investigations continue.

Pretti, a Department of Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, was killed on Saturday during a confrontation with Border Patrol officers who were conducting immigration enforcement operations in the city.

Agents in Alex Pretti shooting remain unidentified

Both agents involved in Pretti's shooting remained unidentified. So far, DHS has not indicated when the agents on administrative leave could return to active duty.

A former federal agent told CBS News that when deadly force is involved, officers are usually placed on administrative leave. The leave typically lasts at least three days, though it can extend longer depending on the circumstances.

Before the shooting on Saturday, federal agents were carrying out enforcement actions when people nearby began yelling and blowing whistles, according to officials. 

Federal authorities maintained that the civilians were repeatedly asked to remain on the sidewalk so that they would not interfere with law enforcement activities.

During the confrontation, one Border Patrol agent discharged his CBP-issued Glock 19, and a second officer also fired, using his CBP-issued Glock 47.

Video circulating online appeared to show Pretti filming agents as they interacted with civilians during the operation. Footage showed him stepping in to assist a woman who had been knocked to the ground by federal officers.

Moments later, Pretti was sprayed with a chemical irritant, forced to the ground, and struck by agents.

Additional video appeared to show one agent removing a firearm- identified by authorities as a 9 mm pistol from Pretti’s waistband before gunfire erupted.

Officials said the weapon was legally owned and that Pretti had a Minnesota permit to carry.

Trump escalates personnel changes

Earlier, President Donald Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to meet with state and city leaders.

Minnesota Gov Tim Walz met Tom Homan on Tuesday, with both sides agreeing to maintain “ongoing dialogue” amid mounting scrutiny of the federal response to the two fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis.

Walz outlined key demands during his meeting, including impartial investigations into the Minneapolis shootings, a significant reduction in the number of federal forces in the state, and an end to the campaign of retribution against Minnesota.