Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino told reporters the inquiry remains active and declined to release additional details. “The situation is evolving,” he said. “Those facts will come to light.”
Victim’s background
State licensing records show that Pretti obtained his Minnesota nursing license in 2021, and it was valid through March 2026. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3669, which represents professional staff at the Minneapolis VA, confirmed that Pretti worked in the facility’s intensive care unit. The union described him as a respected colleague who “dedicated his life to serving American veterans.”
Prior to joining the VA, Pretti served as a junior scientist at the University of Minnesota Medical School, according to his online résumé. Former co-workers recalled his strong work ethic and sense of humor, noting shared interests such as mountain biking on Twin Cities trails.
Pretti graduated from the Green Bay Area Public School District in 2006, a district spokesperson confirmed. Friends and acquaintances who contacted local media described him as calm, approachable, and quick to offer help, qualities they say were evident in his clinical practice and volunteer activities.
Legal firearm ownership
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said publicly that Pretti held a valid Minnesota permit to carry a handgun and that his criminal record was clear. Minnesota law allows residents with permits to carry handguns openly or concealed. Investigators have not yet disclosed whether Pretti’s weapon was loaded, whether it was fired, or how he initially came into contact with federal officers.
Disputed narrative
Statements from DHS have prompted skepticism among state and city officials. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey both called for patience during the investigation and criticized what they described as a premature federal conclusion about Pretti’s intentions. Local leaders said they expect to review all video evidence before determining whether agents followed use-of-force guidelines.
Witness videos circulating online depict agents surrounding Pretti, deploying an unknown spray, and pinning him to the pavement moments before gunfire. Lawyers representing Pretti’s family assert that the recordings contradict the allegation of violent resistance and have asked federal authorities to release all relevant footage.
Union response
In a written statement, AFGE National President Everett Kelley linked the shooting to what he called an increasingly aggressive federal posture. Kelley argued that “reckless policy” and “inflammatory rhetoric” have contributed to unnecessary confrontations between law-enforcement personnel and civilians. Local union representatives held a brief vigil outside the VA Medical Center on Sunday evening, placing flowers beneath a framed photograph of Pretti in his nursing scrubs.
Community reflections
Stories about Pretti’s work gained renewed attention following his death. In one widely shared social-media post, Minnesota resident Mac Randolph uploaded a 2024 video showing Pretti saluting a veteran’s casket during a funeral service at the VA. “We may never forget and always remember our brothers and sisters who have served so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom,” Pretti says in the clip. Randolph wrote that his late father would have viewed Pretti’s actions as a “sacrifice” and lamented the broader political climate.
Imagem: Internet
Other former patients described instances in which Pretti stayed past the end of his shifts to comfort families or locate specialized equipment. Several veterans’ advocacy groups have requested permission to attend upcoming public meetings where law-enforcement agencies are expected to brief local officials on the investigation’s status.
Next steps in the investigation
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will lead the state review, while the DHS Office of Inspector General conducts an internal probe. Standard procedure requires the agents involved to surrender their firearms and submit to drug and alcohol testing. Results of ballistic analyses and autopsy reports are pending.
Authorities have not publicly identified the agents or indicated whether any have been placed on administrative leave. Civil-rights organizations, including local chapters of the ACLU, are monitoring developments and have called for an independent special prosecutor.
Once the investigation concludes, findings will be forwarded to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for a charging decision. Under Minnesota law, cases involving deadly force by peace officers typically proceed to a grand jury if prosecutors consider homicide charges.
Broader context
Pretti’s death is the second fatal encounter involving federal personnel in Minneapolis in less than a month. The earlier incident, which remains under review, involved a U.S. Marshals Service task-force operation in a residential neighborhood. Community activists say the two cases highlight ongoing tensions between federal agencies and city residents.
Nationally, recent data compiled by the nonprofit Mapping Police Violence indicate that shootings involving federal officers account for a small but growing share of law-enforcement homicides. Advocates for reform argue that multilayered jurisdiction can complicate accountability when incidents occur outside traditional customs or border settings.
Meanwhile, the VA Medical Center has set up an employee support hotline and scheduled counseling sessions for staff who worked closely with Pretti. Hospital administrators stated that patients’ appointments and ICU operations will continue as scheduled.
Funeral arrangements for Pretti have not yet been announced. Family members requested privacy while they review investigative materials and consult with legal counsel.
Crédito da imagem: Michael Pretti via AP
