The FBI is now leading the investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations branch supporting the investigation, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.
CBS News has reached out to the FBI for comment.
The decision to initially place HSI in the lead investigative role was unusual and raised questions among current and former federal law enforcement officials, given that HSI is not typically tasked with investigating officer-involved shootings and is not structured or equipped to handle core elements of such cases, including ballistics analysis, forensic processing, firearm examinations, video review and large-scale witness canvassing.
HSI historically has investigated crimes with an international or immigration nexus, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, child exploitation and the theft of stolen artifacts.
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents fired their weapons during Saturday’s fatal shooting, according to a government report sent to Congress and obtained by CBS News that does not mention Pretti reaching for his firearm.
A federal law enforcement official confirmed to CBS News on Wednesday that the federal agents who were involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.
It is unclear exactly when the personnel were placed on leave. Typically, the protocol is for federal law enforcement agents who have been involved in a shooting to be placed on administrative leave during the course of the investigation.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Scott MacFarlane,
Sarah N. Lynch and
Camilo Montoya-Galvez
contributed to this report.
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