Greg Bovino and ICE agents to leave Minnesota amid backlash over Alex Pretti shooting - here's what happened

Greg Bovino: Minneapolis is set to see a scaling back of federal immigration enforcement after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday, officials said Monday. US Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and some of his agents are expected to leave the Minneapolis area soon, as per a report. CBS News' source reportedly said that Bovino has been relieved of his command and will depart imminently.

Greg Bovino and Other Federal Border Patrol Agents to Exit Minneapolis After Alex Pretti Shooting

US president Donald Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have reportedly been in discussions to reduce the federal presence in the city. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also spoke with the president on Monday and said "that the present situation cannot continue," as quoted by CBS News. Frey added that some federal agents will begin leaving the area immediately and that he will continue to push for the remainder of the enforcement operation to depart.

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Minneapolis Mayor Frey Pushes to End Current Immigration Enforcement Operation

Frey said, "Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow, and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go," adding, "Minneapolis will continue to cooperate with state and federal law enforcement on real criminal investigations — but we will not participate in unconstitutional arrests of our neighbors or enforce federal immigration law. Violent criminals should be held accountable based on the crimes they commit, not based on where they are from," as quoted by CBS News.

Alex Pretti, ICU Nurse, Killed by Federal Agent Amid Rising Tensions

The departure of Border Patrol personnel follows intense criticism over the handling of Pretti’s death. Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record, as per the report.

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Video Footage Raises Questions About Circumstances of Pretti Shooting

Videos reported show that Pretti was holding a phone in his right hand and nothing in his left at the time of the shooting, while a federal agent is seen reaching into the scuffle empty-handed and emerging with a gun just before the first shot is fired, as reported by CBS News.

Over the weekend, Bovino suggested, without evidence, that Pretti may have intended to “massacre” federal agents, comments that drew widespread backlash.

Trump Sends Border Czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to Review Situation

In response to the incident, US president Donald Trump announced that border czar Tom Homan will travel to Minneapolis this week. Mayor Frey said he plans to meet with Homan on Tuesday to discuss the next steps.

White House Confirms Federal Investigation Into Fatal Shooting

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday, "Nobody in the White House, including President Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed in America's streets," adding, "This includes Renee Good, Alex Pretti, the brave men and women of federal law enforcement and the many Americans who have been victimized at the hands of illegal alien criminals," as quoted by CBS News.

Leavitt also said that Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are leading the investigation into Pretti’s shooting, while Customs and Border Protection is conducting an internal review.

FAQs

Why are federal agents leaving Minneapolis?
Some Border Patrol agents, including commander Gregory Bovino, are departing after criticism over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.

Who is Alex Pretti?
Pretti was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital and a lawful gun owner with no criminal record.