WASHINGTON D.C January 26, 2026 – In a fiery video statement posted to X, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren accused President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem of misleading the public about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs (VA) nurse, by federal agents in Minneapolis. Warren called for Noem’s immediate resignation, or impeachment if necessary, labeling the incident a blatant abuse of power by federal immigration enforcers.
The shooting occurred on January 24, 2026, during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis targeting an undocumented immigrant, Jose Huerta-Chuma, who DHS claims had a violent domestic history and escaped during the raid. Pretti, who was not involved in the operation, intervened after witnessing federal agents push a woman to the ground while detaining a suspect. Bystander videos show Pretti attempting to help the woman, asking, “Are you okay?”—his reported last words—before agents wrestled him down.
A CNN analysis of multiple videos revealed that a federal officer removed a gun from Pretti’s waistband seconds before at least ten shots were fired while he was pinned to the ground. Pretti, a lawful gun owner with a permit, did not appear to brandish or use the weapon, according to the footage. Officers shouted “he’s got a gun” during the scuffle, but the analysis indicates the firearm was already secured by an agent who walked away with it. Pretti was pepper-sprayed and restrained by multiple agents at the time of the shooting, raising questions about whether the use of lethal force was justified.
Federal officials have defended the agents’ actions, portraying Pretti as a threat. Secretary Noem, in a press conference, described the situation as a “violent riot” where Pretti approached agents “brandishing” a firearm with intent to “inflict maximum damage” and “massacre law enforcement.”
White House adviser Stephen Miller referred to Pretti as a “would-be assassin” on X, and Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino echoed claims that Pretti violently resisted and interfered with the arrest. DHS is investigating whether agents believed they were under fire due to a possible accidental discharge or misperception during the chaos.
In contrast, Minnesota state officials have sharply criticized the federal narrative as “despicable” and “sickening lies.” Governor Tim Walz condemned the operation as federal overreach and called for ICE to withdraw from the state, emphasizing the need to protect citizens like Pretti, who was simply a bystander and healthcare worker. Walz, along with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, has urged full accountability. A Minneapolis judge has ordered DHS to preserve all evidence from the scene, amid a lawsuit by local authorities to prevent destruction or alteration.
The incident has sparked protests in Minneapolis, a city with a history of tensions over police and federal actions. Critics, including Warren, argue that video evidence directly contradicts federal claims, with Pretti disarmed and prone when shot.
President Trump has confirmed a federal review of the event, stating his administration is “reviewing everything.” Some reports suggest far-left groups mobilized activists via encrypted chats before and after the shooting, potentially escalating the situation.
Warren’s post, which has garnered over 50,000 views, intensifies calls for an independent investigation. “We cannot allow this shooting and ICE’s blatant violations of law to be covered up,” she stated in the video. “In America, we still believe in accountability, not lies.”
As investigations proceed, the shooting highlights ongoing divisions over immigration enforcement and federal authority in local jurisdictions.
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