The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, the US deputy attorney general has said. Todd Blanche said he did not want to 'overstate' the move, calling it 'a standard investigation by the FBI when there are circumstances like what we saw'.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the FBI would lead the investigation into Pretti's shooting in Minneapolis, with support from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. His death came just weeks after Renee Good was shot dead by federal officers in the same city.
We're looking at everything that would shed light on that day, Blanche told a news conference. He added the investigation would 'to the extent it needs to' involve lawyers at the civil rights division.
The investigation was previously being led by the Homeland Security Investigations branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CBS News reported. Two agents involved in Pretti's shooting have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, according to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
According to a preliminary DHS report sent to Congress, two officers fired their weapons at Pretti during a scuffle. Initial official accounts had alleged Pretti brandished his gun. The 37-year-old intensive care nurse, who was a US citizen, had protested in the city after Renee Good's shooting on January 7.
Both deaths have led to fresh demonstrations and public outcry across the US, prompting criticism from lawmakers in both parties. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for federal agents to be withdrawn entirely from the capital region, and the state has requested a federal judge to halt Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement initiative.
President Donald Trump stated that his administration intended to 'de-escalate a little bit' in Minnesota, while border czar Tom Homan indicated a plan to reduce federal forces if local officials cooperate. 'We are not surrendering our mission at all. We're just doing it smarter,' he commented.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the FBI would lead the investigation into Pretti's shooting in Minneapolis, with support from the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. His death came just weeks after Renee Good was shot dead by federal officers in the same city.
We're looking at everything that would shed light on that day, Blanche told a news conference. He added the investigation would 'to the extent it needs to' involve lawyers at the civil rights division.
The investigation was previously being led by the Homeland Security Investigations branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), CBS News reported. Two agents involved in Pretti's shooting have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, according to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
According to a preliminary DHS report sent to Congress, two officers fired their weapons at Pretti during a scuffle. Initial official accounts had alleged Pretti brandished his gun. The 37-year-old intensive care nurse, who was a US citizen, had protested in the city after Renee Good's shooting on January 7.
Both deaths have led to fresh demonstrations and public outcry across the US, prompting criticism from lawmakers in both parties. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for federal agents to be withdrawn entirely from the capital region, and the state has requested a federal judge to halt Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement initiative.
President Donald Trump stated that his administration intended to 'de-escalate a little bit' in Minnesota, while border czar Tom Homan indicated a plan to reduce federal forces if local officials cooperate. 'We are not surrendering our mission at all. We're just doing it smarter,' he commented.
