Shocking Twist in Minneapolis Tragedy
Two federal agents have been named in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. ProPublica reports that government documents identify the shooters as Jesus Ochoa, a border patrol agent, and Raymundo Gutierrez, an officer with Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The tragic confrontation unfolded last weekend, leaving Pretti dead and igniting a firestorm of protests. Calls for criminal investigations into federal immigration actions have surged. The Trump administration's false claims about the incident have added fuel to the fire.
Both agents were involved in Operation Metro Surge, a sweeping immigration enforcement drive launched in December. Armed, masked agents, including Ochoa and Gutierrez, were part of a citywide operation in Minneapolis.
Despite public outcry, CBP has refused to release the agents' names or further details. The agency’s silence has only intensified scrutiny, especially since this occurred days after another agent shot a protester, Renee Good. The secrecy around Pretti's death highlights the contentious debate over Trump’s immigration policies.
Lawmakers across the aisle are now demanding transparency. They’re pushing for a thorough investigation into Pretti's killing. At 37, Pretti was an ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, a fact that adds to the tragedy.
This week, CBP informed select Congress members that two agents fired Glock pistols in the incident. However, the agents' names were omitted. The Department of Homeland Security, overseeing CBP, disclosed that Ochoa and Gutierrez are on leave.
Public protests and increasing lawmaker pressure have resulted in the justice department launching a civil rights investigation.
Records reveal Ochoa started with CBP in 2018, while Gutierrez joined in 2014. Gutierrez is part of a special response team for high-stakes operations. Both hail from south Texas, trained for challenging missions.
Key Takeaways
Two agents identified in Pretti’s shooting.
CBP maintains silence, drawing criticism.
Justice department opens civil rights probe.
Adapted by ASEAN Now from Source 2026-02.01
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