Live updates: Border czar is heading to Minnesota after second fatal shooting of a US citizen amid immigration enforcement crackdown
Federal officials have released few details about the investigation into the fatal shooting of ICU nurse and US citizen Alex Pretti, even as they continue to publicly defend the agents involved.
Here’s what we know:
Yesterday, Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino declined to provide details on the probe, saying, “The investigation is going to uncover all those facts, things like how many shots were fired, where were the weapons located.”
Pressed on the Department of Homeland Security’s claim Pretti was “brandishing” a weapon, Bovino said Pretti had a gun and faulted him for approaching agents.
Bovino also sparred with critics on social media, saying “attacking law enforcement is not a right like you want it to be,” and accusing them of “spreading lies and fueling violence,” among other comments.
Trump administration officials have sought to cast Pretti as a violent agitator. But video analyzed by CNN does not capture Pretti acting violently or holding the handgun that a federal officer removed from his waistband seconds before he was killed.
CNN’s Dana Bash pressed Bovino about the videos that appear to contradict the DHS account of the shooting:
‘What evidence do you have?’: Dana Bash presses Bovino on fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
‘What evidence do you have?’: Dana Bash presses Bovino on fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
02:45
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has said Pretti was believed to be a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.
Local probe and legal action
Following the shooting, state officials said Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) was denied access to the scene by DHS agents multiple times, even after securing a signed search warrant.
When FBI officials left after evaluating Saturday’s crime scene, state and local police were unable to hold that scene and it was overrun by protesters, preventing the BCA from conducting its own examination, officials said.
BCA agents were on site Sunday, collecting evidence and canvassing neighborhoods.
A temporary restraining order is in place to ensure federal agencies preserve evidence that could later be turned over to state investigators. The BCA and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office requested the order after suing the Trump administration to prevent the tampering and destruction of evidence.
Court hearings on the temporary restraining order and the lawsuit against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown will take place on Monday.
