This screen grab from a video shows the scene moments before a shooting in Minneapolis, on Jan. 24, 2026
This screen grab from a video shows the scene moments before a shooting in Minneapolis, on Jan. 24, 2026

Minnesota officials have filed a lawsuit against senior members of the Trump administration in an effort to preserve evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, as a sworn witness account submitted to federal court offers new detail about the moments leading up to his death.

The legal action and the witness testimony now stand at the center of the case, reflecting escalating concern among state authorities that key evidence could be lost before a full, independent investigation is completed.

State Seeks Emergency Court Order

On Saturday, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) jointly filed a lawsuit requesting a temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction or loss of evidence connected to the shooting.

According to court filings, Minnesota officials are asking a federal judge to prohibit officials at the Department of Homeland Security from “destroying or failing to preserve evidence” related to Pretti’s death. The suit specifically names DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel.

State authorities allege that federal agents moved quickly to assert control over the scene after the shooting, removing potential evidence and restricting access by local investigators. According to the filing, agents reportedly seized cell phones, detained witnesses, and ordered Minnesota law enforcement officers to leave the area.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the lawsuit was necessary to ensure transparency and accountability.

“A full, impartial, and transparent investigation into his fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents is non-negotiable,” Ellison said in a statement. “It is essential that the evidence collected by federal agents is preserved and turned over to state officials.”

Ellison added that the lawsuit seeks to prevent any destruction, alteration, or withholding of evidence while the investigation is ongoing.

Witness Describes Events Before the Shooting

As the lawsuit was filed, an unnamed witness submitted a sworn statement to federal court offering a detailed account of what they observed during the encounter in Minneapolis.

According to the filing, immigration agents pepper-sprayed three individuals who were observing the scene, including Pretti. The witness said an agent then shoved a woman to the ground during the confrontation.

“More agents came over and grabbed the man who was still trying to help the woman get up,” the witness wrote, referring to Pretti.

The witness stated that agents pushed Pretti to the ground and emphasized that his behavior did not appear aggressive.

“It didn’t look like he was trying to resist,” the witness wrote. “Just trying to help the woman get up.”

The witness account does not address whether Pretti was armed at that moment, an issue that remains central to the investigation. However, the statement aligns with several bystander videos showing Pretti engaged with the woman moments before he was restrained by agents.

Growing Tension Between State and Federal Authorities

The lawsuit highlights a widening rift between Minnesota officials and federal agencies over control of the investigation. State leaders argue that allowing federal authorities to retain exclusive control over evidence in a case involving their own agents creates an inherent conflict.

Legal experts say it is unusual for a state to seek a restraining order against federal agencies in an active use-of-force investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the dispute.

Federal officials have not publicly responded in detail to the allegations in the lawsuit or the witness testimony.

Next Steps in the Case

A federal judge is expected to review Minnesota’s request for a temporary restraining order in the coming days. If granted, the order would require federal agencies to preserve all physical evidence, digital records, video footage, and witness materials related to the shooting.

Meanwhile, investigations continue at both the state and federal levels. For Pretti’s family, the legal action represents a critical step toward ensuring that the facts surrounding his death are fully examined.

As the case moves forward, the outcome of the lawsuit — and the credibility of witness testimony now on record — may play a decisive role in determining what happened during the final moments of Alex Pretti’s life.