Dana Bash questions Bovino as he defends agents involved in Minneapolis shooting on CNN

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino ignited fresh outrage Sunday after forcefully defending the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, arguing that federal agents, not the man killed on the street, were the true victims of the encounter.

Bovino’s remarks came during a tense interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, where he repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether Pretti ever threatened officers with his legally owned firearm, instead shifting blame onto the deceased and the broader protest environment in Minneapolis.

Greg Bovino insists 'agents are victims', Dana Bash counters

Pressed by Bash to explain the justification for lethal force, Bovino emphasized that Pretti had arrived at the scene armed but declined to clarify whether the gun was ever drawn or used to threaten law enforcement.

“We do know that the suspect did bring a weapon, a loaded nine-millimeter high-capacity handgun, to a riot,” Bovino said, stopping short of stating that Pretti pointed the firearm at officers.

When Bash directly asked whether Pretti assaulted any federal agent, citing video footage, Bovino again avoided a direct answer, saying the full truth would emerge through an ongoing investigation.

Despite the ambiguity, Bovino stunned viewers by asserting that officers were the real victims of the deadly encounter.

“The victims are the Border Patrol agents,” he said, adding that Pretti “put himself in that situation.”

Bash challenges claims of criminal behavior

Bash repeatedly pushed Bovino to explain what specific actions by Pretti justified lethal force, particularly given that Minneapolis police later confirmed he had no serious criminal history.

“Did he assault the federal officer in any of the videos that you had seen?” Bash asked, noting that footage appeared to show Pretti intervening after another individual was pushed to the ground.

“What evidence do you have that he was assaulting any law enforcement?” she pressed.

Bovino responded by arguing that Pretti’s presence alone was the problem, saying he had no reason to involve himself in what he described as an “active law enforcement scene.”

He even questioned if Pretti had fallen victim to 'hate rhetoric' by Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey.

Chris Murphy slams 'lies'

Senator Chris Murphy later spoke to Bash about her conversation with Greg Bovino and countered his claims.

Murphy said, “That was a bone-chilling interview. I was shaking while I was listening to it, in large part because it takes just an unbelievable amount of gall to lie to the American public.”

“I mean, everybody saw that video ... it should freak the American public out that the Trump administration lies this easily", Murphy added.

Video shows chaotic struggle before shots fired

Video released Sunday captured the moments leading up to Pretti’s death shortly after 9 am near Glam Doll Donuts at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.

In one clip, Pretti is seen approaching federal agents while holding his phone, apparently recording.

Another clips shows an agent backing him toward the sidewalk, where a physical struggle unfolds.

As tensions escalated, an officer deployed pepper spray directly into Pretti’s face. Additional agents rushed in, and both civilians and officers fell into a tangled pile on the pavement as bystanders shouted nearby.

Seconds later, multiple gunshots rang out. Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene.