The Department of Homeland Security is investigating whether Alex Pretti’s gun accidentally fired, which prompted law enforcement to use deadly force.
37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti of South Minneapolis appeared to resist arrest and attack federal law enforcement agents before he was fatally shot.
Pretti was armed with a Sig Sauer P320 pistol and had two additional full magazines.
Alex Pretti reportedly did not notify law enforcement officers that he was armed.
Footage posted to X appears to show the Sig Sauer P320 (known for malfunction issues) going off and possibly spooking federal agents.
WATCH:
It was the sig going off that spooked the ICE men. pic.twitter.com/JMqU9OOQYA
— meme bastard (@mask_bastard) January 25, 2026
The New York Post reported:
The Department of Homeland Security is investigating whether an errant shot from Alex Pretti’s handgun — after it was taken off of him — caused Border Patrol agents to think they were being fired on, The Post has learned.
As a result of the accidental discharge, which happened while the gun was in a Border agent’s hand, other officers may have believed their lives were in danger — resulting in the split-second decision to open fire on Pretti, killing him, multiple sources familiar with the investigation said.
The explanation is a shift from initial claims by DHS officials, who at first said Pretti was brandishing the Sig Sauer P320 pistol, which he was legally allowed to carry.
“It was 100% an accidental discharge by the agent that relieved that person of their weapon. Because everyone’s guns were out, they think that there’s a shooting,” one source said.
Additional sources confirmed that this is the explanation for the shooting that DHS is investigating.
Department of Homeland Security agents had their body cameras on during the confrontation and fatal shooting of leftist armed agitator Alex Pretti.
BREAKING: A DHS spokesperson confirms to @FoxNews that several federal agents had their body cameras on during the interaction that led to the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota, and footage from “multiple angles” is currently being reviewed by investigators.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 26, 2026
