NRA Demands Investigation into Minneapolis Shooting Amid Conflicting Accounts

Tue Feb 03 2026 20:34:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the wake of the fatal shooting of registered nurse Alex Pretti by a federal agent, the NRA and other gun rights advocates are calling for a thorough investigation as officials provide diverging narratives over the incident.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has called for a full investigation regarding the shooting death of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, challenging statements from the Trump administration that claim Pretti posed a threat. Conflicting accounts and a lack of clear evidence have stirred controversy and protests, raising questions about gun rights and law enforcement actions.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has joined other US gun lobby groups in calling for a full investigation by the Trump administration into the killing of Alex Pretti in Minnesota.

Comments from the NRA come after a border agent fatally shot Pretti—a registered nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital—in Minneapolis on Saturday.

State and federal officials have given starkly different accounts. The Trump administration claims that Pretti was carrying a gun and posed a danger to officers, while no available video evidence shows Pretti with a firearm.

The NRA condemned suggestions by a federal prosecutor that individuals carrying guns risk being lawfully shot by officers as dangerous and wrong.

Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens, the NRA stated.

In response to the situation, Bill Essayli, First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California, suggested on social media that approaching law enforcement with a gun increases the likelihood of being shot legally. This remark drew sharp criticism from various gun advocacy groups and politicians.

Gun Owners of America echoed that the Second Amendment protects Americans' right to bear arms while protesting, stating that this right must not be infringed upon by the federal government.

In follow-up remarks, Essayli attempted to clarify his comments, claiming that he did not mean to imply that shooting law-abiding citizens was justified.

The incident marks the second time this month that federal agents have been involved in a fatal shooting related to immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Bystander video footage has captured significant moments leading up to Pretti's death, which adds an additional layer of scrutiny over the actions taken by ICE agents.

As the investigation unfolds, the Department of Homeland Security released an image of a gun purportedly associated with Pretti, suggesting he posed a threat during the incident. However, local officials have challenged the federal narrative, labeling it as inaccurate and misleading.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have both criticized the Trump administration for its version of events, with Frey describing the federal operation as akin to an invasion.