A chilling silence has fallen over a critical investigation. The head of Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has publicly expressed deep concern over what he calls the “unprecedented” lack of cooperation from the FBI in the investigation of Alex Pretti’s death.
Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a VA hospital, was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent while documenting federal officers in Minneapolis. The incident, occurring on January 24th, immediately sparked questions, particularly as initial official accounts clashed with eyewitness testimony and available video footage.
On Friday, the FBI formally informed the BCA that it would withhold all information and evidence gathered regarding Pretti’s death. This refusal extends beyond a single case, encompassing two other recent shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis: the death of Renee Good and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis.
Superintendent Drew Evans of the BCA made it clear that his agency is determined to conduct a “thorough, independent, and transparent” investigation, despite being deliberately hampered by the FBI’s stonewalling. The BCA has repeatedly requested access to evidence and cooperation, but those requests have so far been ignored.
Federal officials initially claimed Pretti approached immigration agents armed with a 9mm handgun and resisted disarmament. However, accounts from those present paint a different picture, raising serious doubts about the official narrative and fueling demands for a complete and unbiased review of the events.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting unfolded during a period of heightened federal enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Agents were reportedly forced to instruct onlookers to remain on the sidewalk after being confronted by individuals blowing whistles and shouting.
Renee Good was killed in early January, authorities stating she attempted to strike federal officers with her vehicle during an enforcement operation. Julio Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national, is accused of assaulting an ICE officer during a chaotic arrest just last month.
Despite the FBI’s obstruction, the BCA has offered to share any information it gathers and even proposed a joint investigation should the FBI reconsider its position. The agency remains resolute in its commitment to pursuing every legal avenue to access the crucial information needed to uncover the truth.
The FBI has yet to respond to inquiries regarding its decision, leaving a growing sense of unease and a critical investigation shrouded in an unsettling silence. The pursuit of justice, and a full understanding of these events, now hinges on overcoming this unprecedented barrier.
