President Trump comments on Alex Preti shooting incident
President Donald Trump said people cannot “walk in with guns” after the shooting death of ICU nurse Alex Preti.
Two federal agents fired their weapons during the Jan. 24 shooting death of Alex Preti, according to a copy of the Department of Homeland Security’s internal investigation report obtained by USA TODAY.
The report said officers began firing after the employee yelled “I have a gun” multiple times. It does not say that bullets from members of both agencies hit Preeti.
Video from bystanders and witnesses submitted to the court does not show Preeti brandishing a weapon as she approaches the agents.
The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and preliminary findings were based on body-worn camera footage and agency documents, the report said. The name of the agent involved in the shooting was not released.
The following is the Department of Homeland Security’s investigation report into the shooting of Alex Preti.
Read the Department of Homeland Security report on the Alex Preti shooting
Below is the text of the report from the Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility regarding the shooting death of Alex Pretty.
“The following statement pertains to an in-custody death that occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, January 24, 2026. This information is based on a preliminary investigation by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Investigative Operations Directorate (IOD) and may be updated and clarified as additional details become available. It has been provided to CBP senior leadership as well as committee staff to ensure timeliness.” CBP OPR IOD reported that on January 24, 2026, U.S. Border Patrol Agents (BPA) and Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) were conducting enforcement operations near the intersection of Nicollet Street and 26th Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the area, the BPA and CBPO made multiple verbal requests for civilians to remain on the sidewalks and exit the roadways. At approximately 9:00 a.m., CBPO encountered two female civilians blowing whistles, who pushed them away, but one of the women ran toward the man, who was later identified. Alex Jeffrey Preti, 37, the CBPO attempted to remove the woman and Preti from the roadway, but the CBPO fired oleoresin pepper (OC) spray at both Preti. “He’s got a gun!” he shouted. Multiple times. Approximately five seconds later, BPA discharged a CBP-issued Glock 19, and CBPO also discharged a CBP-issued Glock 47 at Pretti. After the shooting, the BPA notified him that he was in possession of Preti’s firearm. BPA then removed Preti’s firearm from the vehicle and secured it. At approximately 9:02 a.m., CBP officers provided medical assistance, including cutting Preeti’s clothing and applying chest stickers to the wound. At approximately 9:05 a.m., emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from the Minneapolis Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (MFD EMS) arrived and took over Pretti’s primary care. At approximately 9:14 a.m., MFD paramedics loaded Pretti into an MFD EMS ambulance, which then transported him to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). At around 9:32 a.m., Ho Chi Minh City medical personnel pronounced Preeti dead. The CBP OPR IOD was notified that an autopsy would be performed by medical personnel from the Hennepin County Coroner’s Office. The CBP OPR IOD will request formal findings upon completion. Homeland Security Investigations is investigating this incident, and CBP OPR IOD is conducting the investigation. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has been notified. ”
