FBI BLOCKS Evidence — Shooting Cover-Up?

FBI SHOCKER

The FBI has formally refused to share critical evidence with Minnesota state investigators in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a VA nurse killed by Border Patrol agents, marking an unprecedented breakdown in federal-state cooperation that raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in law enforcement.

Story Highlights

FBI officially denied Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension access to evidence in the January 24, 2026, Border Patrol shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
Bystander video contradicts federal claims that Pretti brandished a weapon, while DHS initially labeled him a potential “massacre” threat without evidence
State investigators call the federal refusal “unprecedented,” hampering potential criminal charges against agents involved in the shooting
The denial continues a pattern of three federal agent shootings in Minneapolis within weeks, with state requests for cooperation repeatedly rejected

Federal Agencies Block State Investigation

On February 16, 2026, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced the FBI formally denied their request for evidence in the Alex Pretti shooting case. BCA Superintendent Drew Evans described the lack of federal cooperation as unprecedented, stating his agency remains committed to an independent investigation despite the obstruction.

The denial came one week after the FBI notified state officials of their decision, affecting the shooting that occurred January 24 when Border Patrol agents killed the 37-year-old intensive care nurse during an immigration arrest operation in south Minneapolis.

Minnesota's top investigative agency says federal government has formally refused to hand over evidence and information in the killing of Alex Prettihttps://t.co/qVOOZp5owP

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) February 16, 2026

Conflicting Accounts and Video Evidence

The shooting unfolded when Pretti intervened while filming Border Patrol agents who had shoved a woman during an attempted arrest at 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue. Bystander videos show agents spraying Pretti with mace, tackling him, and shooting him during a struggle.

Federal officials claimed Pretti approached with a handgun and “violently resisted,” but witnesses and frame-by-frame BBC video analysis dispute he ever brandished the weapon. Pretti possessed a lawful carry permit, yet DHS immediately released statements claiming he intended to “massacre law enforcement,” while President Trump posted images calling him a “gunman” before any investigation concluded.

State Authority Undermined by Federal Blockade

The federal government blocked Minneapolis police and the BCA from accessing the shooting scene despite a judicial warrant, prompting Judge Eric C. Tostrud to issue a temporary restraining order to preserve evidence.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited Minnesota’s non-cooperation with ICE as justification for denying scene access, while Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard to support local police amid the federal blockade.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty noted the federal refusal suggests a lack of confidence in the agents’ actions, though her office plans to submit a formal evidence request this week. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined the lawsuit seeking evidence preservation, calling the situation involving ignored judicial warrants “uncharted territory.”

Pattern of Federal Overreach Emerges

The Pretti shooting represents the third federal agent-involved shooting in Minneapolis within three weeks of January 2026, following the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent on January 7 and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis on January 14. State requests for joint investigations were repeatedly denied in all three cases.

The individual Border Patrol was arresting when Pretti intervened allegedly had a “significant criminal history” according to federal officials, but Minnesota Department of Corrections records showed only old misdemeanor traffic offenses.

This pattern of federal agencies refusing state cooperation while making unsubstantiated claims about victims undermines both transparency and the constitutional balance between federal and state law enforcement authority, setting a dangerous precedent for accountability.

The federal refusal to share evidence hampers state prosecutors from pursuing potential criminal charges and delays justice for the Pretti family, who dispute what they call the “sickening lies” spread by DHS.

While the DOJ opened a federal civil rights investigation led by the FBI, the same agency now blocking state access, the breakdown in cooperation fuels legitimate concerns about whether federal agencies can credibly investigate themselves.

The BCA continues seeking public tips and remains open to joint investigations if federal officials reverse their stance, but the unprecedented obstruction leaves Minnesota investigators operating with one hand tied behind their backs in pursuing accountability for a VA nurse shot dead while exercising his First Amendment right to film public officials.