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Read the Report on Alex Pretti’s Killing — and the Bizarre Q&A CBP Gave Congress First

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28.01.2026

Under pressure from members of Congress to produce a mandated report on the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, United States Customs and Border Protection instead sent Congress its responses to a list of questions — which the agency had drafted itself.

According to a congressional source who provided The Intercept with the communications on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, the immigration enforcement agency had not been responsive to questions from House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over DHS about Pretti’s shooting. The agency is legally required to send an “in-custody” death notification to several committees and members from the victim’s home state within 72 hours. The agency eventually sent the report, which The Intercept is publishing, on Tuesday after the deadline.

But first, it sent a self-Q&A, which can be read in full below. In it, the agency repeatedly declines to answer its own questions.

Related

We Asked for ICE Bodycam Footage. DHS Claims They Don’t Have It.

One question drafted by CBP asks whether agents were wearing body cameras, to which the agency responds that “CBP defers to the investigating agencies.” In another question, the agency asks itself if the immigrant being targeted had “a final order of removal.” CBP responds that it has to defer to “DHS and investigating agencies for further detail of the operation.”

The agency also asks itself what training Border Patrol agents receive on de-escalation and use of force and offers a vague answer to its own question. “Authorized Officers/Agents shall employ de-escalation tactics and techniques, when safe and feasible, that do not compromise law enforcement priorities,” CBP responds.

The full questionnaire:

Are/were witnesses being detained, what is their status?

· CBP defers to the investigating agencies on witnesses. Other agitators were detained on scene.

Was the suspect’s gun loaded? Was a round in the chamber? Was he concealed carrying? Did he have ID on him? Was he the only armed individual on the scene (other than LEOs)? Was he legally carrying?

· CBP can confirm that the subject’s gun was loaded, 2 additional magazines on we found on the subject. No identification was found on the subject at the time of the incident. (Pending additional details).

What happens next? Are the involved Agents on leave? Where are these agents from (what sector)?

· An agent involved in a deadly use of force incident are immediately placed on administrative leave with pay or regular days off for 3 consecutive days. CBP will follow up with more information on this case as it develops.

What training does BP receive on deescalation?

· De-escalation is part of CBP’s Use of Force Policy and agent are trained on it. Below is........

© The Intercept