WASHINGTON – Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino expressed support for the agents involved in the fatal shooting of anti-ICE protester Alex Preti, describing them as the real victims of the incident in Minneapolis.
Bovino, who is still on administrative duty following the shooting of 37-year-old Preti, noted that protests have emerged in response, attracting attention not just from Democrats but also some right-leaning groups.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” when asked whether he was “blaming the victim,” Bovino clarified his stance: “The victims are Border Patrol agents. I’m not blaming Border Patrol agents. The suspect put himself in that situation.”
Preti, a nurse at Virginia State Hospital, was reported to have been armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, which authorities indicated he had a permit to carry.
Bovino further stated, “He [Preti] threw himself into the crime scene. That’s not enough. He made a decision. It wasn’t our decision.”
Footage from the scene showed the gun being removed from Preti after an officer subdued him. Following that, officers fired multiple shots at Preti, leading to his death. “You should follow the instructions of law enforcement at a crime scene,” Bovino added, emphasizing that Preti seemed to ignore that guidance.
