Slain Minneapolis Man’s Parents Set to Break Silence as Local Investigation Stalls Over Withheld Federal Evidence

The parents of Alex Pretti are scheduled to speak publicly for the first time on Tuesday regarding the federal law enforcement shooting that left their son dead in Minneapolis nine months ago. The family, joined by their legal counsel, will host a morning news conference at 11 a.m. to address the ongoing investigation and the protracted pursuit of accountability.

Pretti was shot and killed in January near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. While the federal agents involved in the incident have not been officially named by authorities, investigative reporting published in February by ProPublica identified them through federal records as Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

Nearly a year after the fatal encounter, Minnesota investigators continue to grapple with a lack of cooperation from federal agencies. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the federal government initially shared some materials, including body camera footage. However, federal authorities halted cooperation earlier this month and continue to withhold critical evidence needed by local investigators.

The withheld items include the firearm used in the shooting, the personal cellphones of the involved agents, and their recorded official statements. Local prosecutors, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, are still reviewing the case to determine whether criminal charges will be filed against the agents. In January, Moriarty had indicated she anticipated gathering sufficient evidence to reach a charging decision.

Early reports surrounding the confrontation offered competing details about the mechanics of the shooting. A report published in January suggested that the fatal incident may have stemmed from an accidental discharge after an agent disarmed Pretti. Federal authorities investigated whether the weapon fired unintentionally, leading other agents on the scene to believe they were under hostile fire and return shots.

The case unfolds alongside another fatal federal law enforcement shooting in the city. Two weeks prior to Pretti’s death, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis. Earlier this month, Good’s family filed civil lawsuits against the federal government and the individual agents involved in pursuit of legal accountability. Local prosecutors are similarly weighing potential criminal charges in the Good investigation.