NRA Calls for Investigation into Fatal Minneapolis Shooting Amid Conflicting Accounts

Tue Feb 03 2026 22:35:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The National Rifle Association and other gun advocacy groups demand a comprehensive investigation into the controversial shooting incident involving Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, raising concerns about perceived dangers to lawful gun carriers.

Following the fatal shooting of registered nurse Alex Pretti by a border agent in Minneapolis, the NRA has called for a full investigation, contesting the Trump administration's account of the incident. Pretti's alleged weaponization during the confrontation remains unsubstantiated, highlighting a divide in narratives between officials and gun advocacy groups.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has joined other U.S. gun lobby groups in demanding a full investigation by the Trump administration into the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The call comes after a border agent fatally shot Pretti, a registered nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, during a confrontation on Saturday.

State and federal officials have given starkly divergent accounts of the incident. While the Trump administration claims that Pretti was armed and posed a danger to officers, no available video evidence has corroborated these allegations.

The NRA has characterized comments suggesting that carrying a gun could justify being shot by law enforcement as dangerous and wrong, urging public figures to await a full investigation instead of making generalized statements that could demonize law-abiding citizens.

First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli sparked backlash with a social media post stating: If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don't do it! This prompted various gun advocacy groups, including Gun Owners of America, to defend the rights of citizens to bear arms even during protests.

In light of heated rhetoric, the NRA emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation to establish whether the use of force was justified, urging political voices to reduce the temperature of public discourse to safeguard both citizens and law enforcement.

The incident marks the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis this month, linked to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency's operations. Multiple videos captured the moments leading up to Pretti's shooting, but conflicting narratives continue to arise from various officials.

Critics of the Trump administration's narrative, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have labeled the assertions as false or nonsensical, leading to a growing debate over the implications of gun rights and law enforcement interactions.