Alex Preti had a history with federal law enforcement prior to his fatal encounter. A week before he was shot by Border Patrol agents, he sustained broken ribs during a confrontation with an ICE agent, according to sources.
CNN reported that Preti had “physical contact with federal agents approximately one week” prior to the shooting incident.
The situation escalated when Preti stopped his car upon witnessing ICE officers pursuing his family on foot. He got involved, reportedly in an attempt to protest their actions.
During this engagement, he was tackled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents—one of whom allegedly put weight on his back, leading to the rib injury.
Sources indicated that Preti feared for his life that day, and shortly after the altercation, he was released at the scene.
As for the circumstances surrounding his death in Minneapolis, it was noted that Preti was already on the radar of federal agents. However, it’s still uncertain whether those agents involved in the shooting recognized him prior to the incident.
CNN highlighted that Preti reportedly had a firearm tucked into his waistband during the confrontation. Meanwhile, reports indicate that he was armed when the shooting occurred.
The use of force policy for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasizes that any force must be considered “objectively reasonable” based on the agent’s perception at the time, not influenced by public opinion or the subsequent review of footage.
According to this guideline, deadly force can be justified if an agent believes there’s an imminent threat of death or serious injury to themselves or others.
The Department of Homeland Security has consistently flagged potential threats to its immigration enforcement personnel. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CNN that encounters with violent individuals create documentation for prosecution, asserting that this is standard procedure in law enforcement.
