A woman kneels and prays as hundreds of people gather around the growing memorial at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, where federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
Two separate investigations are ongoing into Saturday’s shooting death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti at the hands of Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, according to U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA).
During a town hall call Tuesday night, McCormick said he spoke with senior Department of Homeland Security officials and was told the results of the investigation would be made public in the coming weeks, “which should give us some insight into what happened on the ground in Minneapolis.”
McCormick called the shooting a tragedy.
“I don’t understand all the facts about where the guns were and all that, but I certainly think we need to do a full and transparent investigation to make sure the public knows about this because it’s really important that our law enforcement not only protects the public but also maintains their trust,” McCormick said. “This is the best way for our law enforcement to do their job well.”
Of the 11 calls McCormick received Tuesday evening, five of them concerned funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement. Four interviewees opposed ICE funding. However, one of them asked McCormick what could be done to provide support to law enforcement.
Some also argued that there should be a leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (R-Pa.), who voted to confirm Kristi Noem as DHS secretary, joined other Democrats in calling on Trump to fire her.
All seven Pennsylvania Democrats serving in the U.S. House of Representatives have signed onto articles of impeachment against Noem, although it is unclear whether Fetterman supports this action. The effort would require Republican support because the GOP controls both the House and Senate.
Tuesday night sense. GOP US Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tom Tillis (R-NC) called on Noem to step down.
“I think the ICE mission is extremely demanding and ultimately the situation in Minneapolis has gotten out of control and I think we need to step back and learn from it, and the law enforcement mission is still critical, but I also think we want to try to de-escalate the situation,” McCormick said. “It looks like what President Trump and Governor Walz are doing.”
Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse, was shot multiple times by immigration agents during a fight that broke out Saturday when he stood between two women and an agent who was pushing them.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Pretti, who had a gun in a holster in his waistband, “attacked” officers and “brandished” the weapon. However, the video footage appears to contradict these accusations and does not show Pretti ever holding a firearm. He was allowed to legally carry a pistol.
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Stephen Miller, a top White House adviser who previously described Pretti as a “would-be assassin,” backtracked somewhat, saying: CNN on Tuesday that the Customs and Border Protection team in Minneapolis “may not have followed” proper protocol before the fatal shooting.
Several McCormicks GOP colleagues also called for an investigation into the shooting while National Rifle Association(KOR), which largely supports conservative elected officials, also supports the investigation.
But the Trump administration is beginning to face pressure from gun rights groups over comments by the president and others that Pretti was perilous because he was carrying a handgun and spare magazines. On Tuesday, President Trump twice commented negatively on the fact that Pretti legally carries a pistol. However, the groups noted that gun owners with concealed carry permits also often have extra magazines.
Despite the Minnesota shootings of Pretti and Renee Good, who were killed in their car by agents earlier this month, McCormick supports a DHS funding bill that some Democrats are trying to block.
“The funding covers the Border Patrol, the customs agents you see at your airports cover it Coast Guardand it includes ICE, which of course is only a small part of the budget and I really believe that we should not shut down our government or defund it,” McCormick said.
Before Pretti’s shooting death, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 220-207 for advance payment to the DHS financial accountwhich included the endorsement of seven Democrats. Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation voted along party lines, with 10 Republicans supporting it and seven Democrats opposing it.
Republicans have a majority in the U.S. Senate, but even if their delegation is united, they would need some Democrats to vote for the bill reach the threshold of 60 votes. But Democrats have already said that have enough votes to block it.
McCormick anticipates there will be negotiations with Democrats on spending proposals, but he vowed to avoid a partial government shutdown.
“I’m not in favor of shutting down the government. It doesn’t matter which party is in power, but some people don’t see it that way,” McCormick said.
Fetterman said will not vote against DHS fundingeven though the Democratic delegation in the US House of Representatives urged him to vote “no”.
Tuesday night was McCormick’s 18th call to City Hall since he was sworn in last year.
