By Cliff Potts, Editor-in-Chief, WPS News

31 January 2026

The fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, has been dissected through synchronized bystander videos analyzed by major outlets including BBC Verify, CBS News, The New York Times Visual Investigations, ABC News, and others. These frame-by-frame reviews reveal a sequence of events that starkly contradicts initial official claims from DHS, Secretary Kristi Noem, and President Donald Trump. Far from an armed assault on officers, the footage depicts rapid escalation against a man holding only a phone.

This second essay focuses exclusively on the verified video timeline, drawing from multiple angles to reconstruct the incident and highlight key contradictions with public statements.

The Verified Video Timeline

Bystander footage from at least a dozen sources—synchronized by The New York Times, BBC Verify, and CBS News—establishes a clear chronology starting around 8:58–9:00 a.m. CST near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street.

Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and VA ICU nurse, arrives on scene holding his phone visibly in hand to film federal agents detaining civilians during an immigration operation. Videos show him observing, occasionally directing traffic, and arguing verbally with officers—never brandishing or reaching for a weapon.

  • Agents push a civilian (noted in orange backpack) toward Pretti.
  • Pretti raises his open hand (phone clearly visible) in a possible de-escalation or signaling gesture.
  • An officer deploys pepper spray directly at Pretti at close range; he recoils and falls/stabilizes against another person.
  • Within seconds, multiple agents (3–8 visible) tackle Pretti into the street, pinning him down and striking him while grounded.
  • An agent reaches into Pretti’s waistband and removes a 9mm semi-automatic handgun (his licensed concealed carry weapon)—Pretti’s hands remain empty and non-reaching throughout.
  • Less than one second after the gun is removed and held away, the first shot is fired by another agent.
  • Over the next ~5 seconds, a total of 10 shots are discharged (forensic audio and frame analysis confirm two agents firing, using Glock 19 and Glock 47 models per CBP review).
  • Pretti collapses motionless; agents step back.

The entire physical engagement—from initial push/pepper spray to final shot—lasts approximately 31 seconds, per The New York Times frame-by-frame assessment.

Key Contradictions with Official Narratives

Early DHS and administration statements claimed Pretti “approached” officers “with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun,” “brandished” it, “violently resisted” disarming, and intended to “massacre” or “inflict maximum damage” on law enforcement. Secretary Noem described him as arriving to “kill law enforcement,” while Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and others labeled him a “domestic terrorist” and “assassin.”

Video evidence directly refutes these:

  • Pretti holds only a phone (clearly visible in multiple angles) before and during initial contact—no brandishing or drawing occurs.
  • Agents initiate physical force via pushes, pepper spray, and tackle; Pretti does not approach armed or aggressively first.
  • His licensed firearm remains holstered in his waistband until removed by an agent—never in his hand or pointed.
  • No evidence supports accidental discharge from Pretti’s gun; all 10 shots trace to agents’ service weapons.
  • Witnesses (including a physician and others in sworn testimony) describe Pretti as peacefully documenting, not attacking.

BBC Verify, CBS News, and The New York Times analyses conclude Pretti posed no visible imminent deadly threat once pinned. Former DHS officials and police trainers (e.g., John Cohen on ABC) note nothing in the footage supports intent to harm officers.

Broader Context from Video Reviews

This was the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal agents in Minneapolis that month (following Renée Good on January 7), amid protests against immigration raids. Bystander videos emerged rapidly, filling gaps before body-camera footage review (DHS confirmed multiple angles under investigation, with preservation ordered by court).

The synchronized footage has fueled calls for accountability, with critics arguing the rapid shift to lethal force—while Pretti was disarmed and grounded—indicates excessive and potentially unlawful action.

Conclusion

The video evidence paints a picture of escalation initiated by agents against an unarmed observer (phone in hand), culminating in 10 shots fired at a pinned man. These analyses from BBC Verify, CBS News, The New York Times, and others stand in direct opposition to early official portrayals. Until full bodycam release and independent investigation, the bystander footage remains the clearest record—demanding transparency and reform to prevent such tragedies.

(Word count: ~498)

References

AI Generated Image of Murder on a Minnesota Street.

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