Alex Pretti’s shooting death officially ruled a homicide by medical examiner

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA: Alex Pretti’s death has been officially ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, the office announced Monday, February 2. The 37‑year‑old Minneapolis man was fatally shot by federal agents on January 24 during an immigration enforcement operation.

The ruling comes nine days after the shooting and follows a similar determination in the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was also fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7.

What did Alex Pretti’s medical report say?

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner said Alex Pretti died from “multiple gunshot wounds” and that he died on the same day he was shot, January 24.

The report did not give many details about the autopsy or explain all of its findings. A homicide ruling means a person was killed by another person and does not automatically mean a crime was committed.

The medical examiner’s office did not include any extra explanation about that in its announcement about Pretti. 

Kristi Noem announces Minneapolis ICE agents will wear body cameras

After federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, some Trump administration officials initially said he threatened officers and “brandished” a weapon. However, multiple bystander videos show Pretti holding a cellphone and recording the scene when agents pushed him and sprayed him with a chemical irritant before tackling him to the ground, and no footage shows him pointing a gun at officers before he was shot.

Critics have pushed for greater accountability following the deaths of Pretti and Good, which have sparked protests and heated debate over the use of force by federal officers.

In response to widespread confusion and questions about transparency, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that every immigration enforcement officer in Minneapolis will now wear body‑worn cameras. Noem wrote on X, "Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis."

It continued, “As funding is available, the body camera program will be expanded nationwide. We will rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country." 

Trump calls for ‘forceful’ action to defend federal agents and property during protests

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he has ordered the Department of Homeland Security not to step into protests or riots in Democratic‑led cities unless local officials specifically ask for help.

Trump posted on his social media that federal law enforcement, including DHS, will stay out of local demonstrations unless city or state leaders request assistance, even as protests continue over immigration enforcement policies and recent deadly shootings by federal agents.

Trump also made clear that federal agents will still protect federal buildings and property, calling for “very forceful” action to defend them against attacks. He said local and state authorities must handle most unrest on their own and formally request help before federal intervention.