Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino has stepped into the national spotlight following the shooting death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Appearing on CNN with Dana Bash, Bovino faced tough questions about why Pretti, 37, was shot by his agents in broad daylight.
The incident has ignited outrage across the country, coming just weeks after another fatal encounter between ICE agents and a civilian, Renee Nicole Good.
Footage from Saturday shows Pretti, legally armed, in a tense struggle with Border Patrol officers before shots were fired, leaving Americans and politicians alike debating what really happened.
Chief’s Statement Blames the Victim
When pressed about whether Pretti had threatened officers with his gun, Bovino dodged a direct answer.
Instead, he emphasized that Pretti brought a loaded 9mm high-capacity handgun to the scene, framing the deceased as responsible for his own fate.
“We do know that the suspect did bring a weapon, a loaded nine-millimeter high-capacity handgun, to a riot,” Bovino said.
He added that the specifics of what happened during the struggle would come out through an ongoing investigation, without clarifying whether Pretti actually posed an immediate threat.
Bovino went further, claiming that the Border Patrol agents were the real victims.
“The victims are the Border Patrol agents.
He put himself in that situation,” he told Bash, doubling down on the notion that Pretti’s choices made him responsible for the deadly outcome.
Video Shows Struggle Moments Before Shooting
Body camera and bystander footage released Sunday captures the tense moments before Pretti was killed near Glam Doll Donuts on 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
In the videos, Pretti approaches agents holding his phone, apparently recording the scene.
The footage shows one agent backing him toward the sidewalk as the situation escalates.
Pretti can be seen trying to push an officer away while another sprays pepper spray into his face.
Multiple agents then rush in, with both civilians and officers tumbling in a chaotic pile-up, before several shots ring out.
Pretti’s Background and Legal Gun Ownership
Police Chief Brian O’Hara emphasized that Pretti had no serious criminal history, noting that his record only showed minor infractions such as parking tickets.
Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the 9mm handgun and two magazines were recovered and released photos of the firearm lying on a car seat.
DHS described the operation as a “targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault,” stating that Pretti approached officers with the weapon and resisted disarmament.
Investigation and Public Outcry Continue
The shooting has sparked nationwide debate about the use of force by federal agents.
Critics argue the incident highlights systemic problems with law enforcement interactions, while supporters of the Border Patrol echo Bovino’s framing that the officers were placed in harm’s way.
As Minneapolis and federal authorities continue their investigations, Americans are left grappling with video evidence, official statements, and the broader implications of armed confrontations on city streets.
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