In Reversal of Admin's Statements, DHS Officials Say Pretti Killers Are on Leave

"Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin has said that the federal officers who shot and killed Alex Pretti have been put on administrative leave, marking a reversal from previous statements as the agency faces increased pressure and a funding battle in Congress. News outlets have also cited a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson saying that the officers are on leave. "The two officers involved are on administrative leave. This is standard protocol," a CBP spokesperson told The Guardian. The killers have still not been identified."

"When asked if the officers have been placed on leave, Bovino told reporters on Monday that "all agents that were involved in that scene are working, not in Minneapolis, but in other locations." DHS said in a preliminary report to Congress this week that two agents fired shots at Pretti, a Border Patrol agent and CBP officer. This confirms analysis by outside groups of the incident. Together, the two fired at him at least 10 times over the course of five seconds, analyses of video footage have found."

Department of Homeland Security officials announced that the federal officers who shot and killed Alex Pretti have been placed on administrative leave, reversing earlier statements. A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson confirmed that the two officers are on administrative leave and described the action as standard protocol. Border Patrol leadership previously stated that agents involved remained active and assigned to other locations. DHS reported to Congress that two agents—a Border Patrol agent and a CBP officer—fired at Pretti. Video analyses indicate the pair fired at him at least ten times over approximately five seconds. The officers have not been publicly identified.

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