Pretti Parents Accuse DOJ of Shielding Agents in Minneapolis Shooting

Key points

• Michael and Susan Pretti stated that U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen has refused to share updates on the federal investigation into their son's death for nine months.
• The family argues that the Trump administration initially mischaracterized Pretti as a domestic terrorist, contradicting video footage showing he held only a cellphone and had no criminal record.
• Minnesota officials sued the federal government in March for access to evidence regarding the killings of Pretti and Renee Good, but state prosecutors claim the federal government has since stopped sharing information.
• The Justice Department responded that it is standard practice to communicate with families only at stages such as indictment or trial, not during the investigation phase.
• The Pretti family has not yet committed to filing a lawsuit but is keeping legal options open while demanding transparency and justice for their son.

Background

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who worked at a veterans hospital, was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, during Operation Metro Surge. The incident occurred alongside the fatal shooting of Renee Good, another victim of federal agents in the same period. Prior to this week's press conference, the family had remained largely out of the public eye, relying on a local memorial and over 2,000 letters from supporters to process their grief. The current dispute follows a period where state and federal authorities clashed over jurisdiction and evidence sharing, with Minnesota officials arguing that federal obstruction is hindering their independent investigation.

How outlets are covering it

MPR News and The New York Times emphasize the family's frustration with the lack of communication from federal officials, highlighting the nine-month silence from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The Guardian focuses on the contradiction between the administration's initial narrative of Pretti being an armed aggressor and the video evidence showing he was unarmed and shot in the back. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul provides a more personal angle, detailing the family's grief and the impact of community support, including a burial flag and memorial items, while noting that the family has not yet decided on legal action. The Justice Department, cited by all sources, defends its process as standard, arguing that family updates typically occur only after formal legal proceedings begin, a stance the family rejects as obstructive.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities regarding the investigation of deaths involving federal immigration agents. It raises questions about transparency in civil rights investigations and the balance of power between state and federal jurisdictions in handling such incidents. The outcome may set a precedent for how families of victims are treated during federal investigations and could influence future policies regarding the deployment of federal agents in local communities.

What to watch

The Pretti family may pursue legal action if the Department of Justice continues to withhold information. State officials in Minnesota are expected to continue their efforts to obtain evidence from the federal government. The Justice Department may eventually provide updates if the case moves to formal legal proceedings, such as an indictment. The public and media will likely continue to monitor the case for any developments in the investigation or potential legal actions by the family.