A fresh wave of controversy has erupted following the release of previously unseen CCTV footage from the January 24, 2026, fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti in south Minneapolis. The grainy but clear security camera video, reportedly leaked from a nearby business and now circulating widely on social media and news platforms, captures the initial moments of the confrontation between Pretti and federal agents—believed to include U.S. Border Patrol personnel conducting an immigration enforcement operation.
In the opening frames of the approximately 3-minute clip, the scene appears remarkably orderly. Agents, identifiable by their tactical gear and markings, are seen approaching a group of bystanders and protesters blocking access to a targeted residence. Pretti, dressed in casual clothing and carrying what looks like a phone in one hand, steps forward calmly. The agents gesture for him to back away, using hand signals and verbal commands that seem measured—no immediate aggressive postures or drawn weapons are visible from this angle. Pretti raises his free hand in a placating manner, appearing to speak or explain something as he moves closer to assist a woman who had stumbled during the earlier scuffle.
For roughly the first 45–60 seconds, the interaction remains controlled: agents maintain distance, one officer even appears to motion for Pretti to step aside rather than engage physically. This early composure directly challenges initial DHS statements that described Pretti as immediately “brandishing a firearm” and posing an imminent threat, prompting a defensive response. Analysts reviewing the footage frame-by-frame have noted the absence of any visible gun in Pretti’s hands during this phase—aligning with multiple bystander videos that show him holding only a cellphone initially.
Tension begins to build around the 1-minute mark. Pretti kneels to help the fallen woman to her feet, at which point a second agent moves in swiftly. The CCTV captures what appears to be the moment the gun is removed from Pretti’s possession—possibly from a waistband or pocket—as the agent grabs his arm. Pretti does not resist visibly; instead, he seems focused on steadying the woman. Within seconds, however, the situation spirals: additional agents close in, Pretti is pushed or pulled backward, and a rapid sequence of gunfire erupts. The CCTV angle obscures the exact firing point but shows Pretti collapsing after multiple shots, with agents immediately securing the area.
The leak has ignited furious backlash. Civil rights groups and Pretti’s family accuse federal authorities of a cover-up, pointing to the calm opening as evidence that escalation was unnecessary. “This video proves it wasn’t self-defense from the start—it was overreach,” Pretti’s attorney stated in a press release. Online commentators and forensic video experts are dissecting every frame, with some highlighting discrepancies between the CCTV and earlier DHS claims about Pretti “approaching with a gun drawn.”
Protests in Minneapolis have intensified, with demonstrators demanding full release of bodycam footage and an independent DOJ investigation. The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics face renewed scrutiny, especially as this marks the second fatal federal shooting in the city this month. Meanwhile, supporters of the agents argue the full context—including unseen angles and real-time threats—remains incomplete.
As the footage spreads virally, public opinion fractures further: Was this a tragic miscommunication in a high-stakes operation, or a preventable use of excessive force? With more videos surfacing and analysts poring over details, the leaked CCTV may prove to be the pivotal piece that reshapes the narrative of Alex Pretti’s death.
