FBI Won't Share Evidence in Alex Pretti Shooting, Minnesota Says

Minnesota state investigators say the FBI has refused to share evidence about the Alex Pretti shooting. This is causing problems for the investigation. People are asking for more information and clarity.
By Newsroom | Law Enforcement, United States |

Tension has mounted between Minnesota state investigators and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over access to evidence related to the shooting death of Alex Pretti. State authorities, specifically the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), have reported that the FBI has formally refused to share any information or evidence pertinent to the incident. This lack of cooperation has impacted not only the Pretti investigation but also has previously caused the BCA to halt its inquiry into the killing of Renee Good. The situation has spurred calls for independent investigations from both Democratic and Republican parties, as public video footage of the shootings of Pretti and Good has circulated widely, fueling mass protests.

Background of Investigations and Federal Non-Cooperation

The events surrounding the death of Alex Pretti have triggered multiple investigations at both state and federal levels. The Minnesota BCA has been actively investigating the shootings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and Julio Sosa-Celis. However, the FBI's stance on withholding evidence has created significant obstacles.

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  • The FBI has previously declined to share information concerning the shootings of Good and Sosa-Celis.

  • This consistent lack of cooperation from the FBI has led the BCA to discontinue its investigation into Good's killing.

  • Alex Pretti and Renee Good were U.S. citizens, and video evidence of their deaths has become publicly available, contributing to widespread protests.

  • The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a civil rights investigation into Pretti's shooting, with the potential for criminal charges against involved officers, though such cases face a high legal threshold.

  • Customs and Border Protection has also commenced an internal inquiry into Pretti's death.

  • Prior to the BCA's statements regarding the FBI's refusal, Minnesota Governor Tostrud had issued a restraining order aimed at preventing federal authorities from destroying or altering evidence related to Pretti's death. However, a federal judge later lifted this order, deeming the concerns about evidence tampering "undeveloped."

  • Federal investigators reportedly prevented BCA agents from collecting evidence at the scene of Pretti's shooting.

  • Pretti's family had previously advocated for a joint investigation between the FBI and BCA.

State vs. Federal Information Access

The core of the current discord lies in the FBI's explicit refusal to grant Minnesota state authorities access to evidence.

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FBI won’t share Alex Pretti shooting evidence, Minnesota authorities say - 1

  • On February 16th, the BCA publicly stated that the FBI had formally notified them of their decision not to share information or evidence related to the Pretti shooting.

  • This notification from the FBI was reportedly received on February 14th.

  • The BCA has reportedly reiterated its requests for evidence in all three mentioned shootings.

  • Sources indicate that federal investigators had physically impeded BCA agents from accessing the Pretti shooting scene.

  • The BCA sought a restraining order to protect evidence from the Department of Homeland Security, which was later overturned.

Conflicting Perspectives on Cooperation

While state investigators express frustration, the federal government's rationale for withholding evidence remains unarticulated in public statements, leading to various interpretations.

  • Minnesota Officials' Stance:

  • The BCA has consistently reported the FBI's refusal to cooperate.

  • Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty suggested the federal government's non-cooperation indicates a lack of confidence in their agents' actions or immediate response.

  • Despite the federal government's refusal, Moriarty stated that the state investigation would continue.

  • Federal Actions and Statements:

  • The FBI has not provided an immediate public comment when approached for a statement.

  • The U.S. Department of Justice has launched its own civil rights investigation into Pretti's death.

  • Sources suggest federal investigators were present at the scene and may have taken possession of evidence.

  • The Trump Administration had previously sent border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota following public outcry over the shootings. Homan had vowed renewed cooperation between state and federal officials.

Analysis of Evidence Control

The dispute over evidence sharing raises fundamental questions about accountability and the integrity of investigations when multiple law enforcement bodies are involved.

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  • The BCA's assertions are based on formal notifications received from the FBI.

  • The lifting of the restraining order suggests a legal ruling that federal concerns over evidence preservation were not sufficiently substantiated in court at that time.

  • The existence of video footage that appears to contradict initial officer statements, as mentioned in one report, adds a layer of complexity to the evidence being sought.

Conclusion and Implications

The formal refusal by the FBI to share evidence in the Alex Pretti shooting case has created a significant procedural hurdle for Minnesota state investigators. This lack of inter-agency cooperation, particularly in cases involving citizen deaths during law enforcement operations, prompts scrutiny regarding transparency and accountability. The situation has prompted broader calls for independent reviews, highlighting a critical disconnect between state investigative efforts and federal involvement. The continuation of state-led investigations, despite the absence of federal evidence, suggests a commitment to pursuing clarity on the events, though the ultimate impact on prosecutorial outcomes remains uncertain without full access to all pertinent information.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the FBI not sharing evidence?
Minnesota officials say the FBI has formally refused to share information. The FBI has not given a public reason.
Q: What shooting are we talking about?
This is about the death of Alex Pretti. State police were also looking into the deaths of Renee Good and Julio Sosa-Celis.
Q: What are Minnesota officials doing?
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is still trying to investigate. They have asked for the evidence many times.
Q: Have there been protests?
Yes, people have protested because video of the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good is online. They want answers about what happened.