Agents Placed on Leave Following Activist’s Shooting

Following the shooting death of activist Alex Preti, one Border Patrol agent and a Customs and Border Protection employee are on administrative leave. This decision comes as developments unfold around the incident.

On Wednesday, Preti’s family announced they have engaged lawyers who were involved in the prosecution of police officers related to George Floyd’s case.

It appears two officers discharged their weapons during the shooting, as noted in a Department of Homeland Security communication to Congress. Officials indicated that placing the officers on leave is standard practice in such cases.

Steve Schleicher, who previously served as a special prosecutor during Derek Chauvin’s trial, is representing Preti’s parents pro bono. Meanwhile, Preti’s sister has retained attorney Anthony Cotton from a Milwaukee firm.

The incident, which involved the 37-year-old ICU nurse, has spurred Democratic leaders to press for an end to ICE operations. Some have even called for the resignation of Department of Homeland Security’s Kristi Noem.

Senator Thom Tillis expressed strong disapproval of the handling of the situation, stating it reflects poorly on the presidential policies. He remarked that the actions seemed “amateurish” and were detrimental to the administration’s image.

Interestingly, just a week prior to his death, it was reported that Preti had had confrontations with federal agents, during which he sustained injuries, possibly breaking ribs. A source indicated that he felt his life was in jeopardy during those encounters.