Federal Agents Placed on Administrative Leave Following Minneapolis Fatalities
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that federal agents involved in two separate fatal shootings in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave, marking a significant development in cases that have drawn national attention.
Contradictory Statements Emerge from DHS Leadership
In a statement released Wednesday, DHS officials revealed that Customs and Border Protection employees involved in the Saturday shooting death of Alex Pretti have been placed on leave. "The two officers involved are on administrative leave," a DHS spokesperson confirmed. "This is standard protocol."
This announcement directly contradicts statements made by Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino just days earlier. On Sunday, Bovino told reporters that agents involved in Pretti's death were still working, though they had been reassigned to different locations for safety reasons.
"All agents that were involved in that scene are working, not in Minneapolis, but in other locations," Bovino stated. "That's for their safety. There's this thing called doxing. And the safety of our employees is very important to us. So we're going to keep those employees safe."
Second Shooting Incident Confirmed
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin provided additional information in a separate statement to HuffPost, confirming that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Good earlier this month, has also been placed on administrative leave. McLaughlin did not specify when this action was taken.
Details Emerge About Pretti Shooting
According to available information, unidentified agents fired approximately 10 bullets at Pretti at close range, with some striking the 37-year-old VA nurse in the back. The circumstances surrounding the shooting have become increasingly controversial as conflicting narratives emerge.
While DHS claimed on social media that Pretti had "approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun," this assertion has been challenged by multiple video recordings and CBP's own preliminary report. Notably, the official report makes no mention of Pretti reaching for the firearm, which he owned legally and was licensed to carry.
Community Response and Memorials
The Minneapolis community has responded to both tragedies with memorials honoring Pretti and Good. These incidents have raised significant questions about federal law enforcement procedures and accountability in use-of-force situations.
The administrative leave placement represents standard protocol during investigations into officer-involved shootings, allowing for thorough examination of the circumstances while removing involved personnel from active duty.
As investigations continue into both fatal incidents, the contradictory statements from different levels of DHS leadership highlight potential communication challenges within the agency during critical incidents.
