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FBI refuses to share evidence in Minneapolis shooting case
Minnesota law enforcement officials say the Federal Bureau of Investigation has withheld all materials from its inquiry into the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse shot by US Customs and Border Protection agents during a protest on 24 January.
State calls FBI stance 'unprecedented'
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said it had received no documents, witness statements, or forensic evidence from the FBI. Superintendent Drew Evans described the federal agency's silence as "concerning and unprecedented." The FBI has not commented.
The BCA repeated its offer to conduct a joint investigation with federal authorities, stressing its commitment to "thorough, independent and transparent" inquiries "even when access to key information is denied."
Family demands joint probe
Pretti's relatives echoed the call for collaboration. In a statement carried by CBS News, they said, "Justice and accountability require a full, impartial investigation. A truly joint state and federal effort would be welcome."
Broader investigations under way
A separate civil-rights review of Pretti's death was launched by the US Department of Justice in January. The BCA is also examining two other shootings: the 7 January killing of Renee Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the wounding of a Venezuelan national after a car chase a week later. The BCA said it remains unclear whether federal officials will share information on those cases.
Fallout from immigration crackdown
The shootings occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a Trump-administration initiative that led to the arrest of more than 4,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota. White House border adviser Tom Homan reported last Thursday that the operation had concluded, claiming detainees included men convicted of rape and other sexual offences.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, criticized the sweep, saying it left "deep damage, generational trauma, and many unanswered questions." The crackdown also sparked nationwide protests against President Trump's immigration policies and ICE tactics.
