Two Customs and Border Protection agents, Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez, have been identified as the officers who fired on protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, according to government records reviewed by ProPublica. The shooting on January 24 resulted in Pretti’s death and has led to widespread protests and calls for a thorough investigation. Both agents were part of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative active in the city.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the agents were placed on leave following the incident, and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation. Videos of the encounter show a chaotic struggle during which Pretti, who was legally armed, was shot multiple times after resisting arrest. The incident has raised concerns about the use of force by masked federal agents and the lack of transparency surrounding their identities.
**Why this matters:**
The shooting highlights ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics in U.S. cities. The use of masked agents who conceal their identities has sparked debate over accountability and transparency in law enforcement. The incident has intensified calls from lawmakers and the public for independent investigations and clearer rules governing the conduct of federal officers operating in local communities.
Source: NewsData