Two federal immigration agents involved in the Jan. 24 fatal shooting of Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti have been publicly identified, shedding new light on early media coverage that largely framed the incident through a racial lens.
Government records reviewed by ProPublica reveal that the officers were Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, both Hispanic—a detail missing from much of the initial reporting.
The confrontation unfolded near West 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, where Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs, reportedly resisted federal custody.
Officials confirmed both agents discharged firearms during the encounter.
Some reports indicate an accidental discharge of Pretti’s legally owned handgun may have contributed to the confusion, though interpretations of available video footage remain disputed.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations with FBI support.
Minnesota authorities, including Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, maintain local oversight and are assessing whether criminal charges are warranted, according to Trending Politics.
Ochoa and Gutierrez were deployed under Operation Metro Surge, a federal enforcement initiative launched in December 2025 that sent masked, armed agents across Minneapolis.
Gutierrez serves on CBP’s special response team, responsible for high-risk interventions comparable to police SWAT units.
Both officers hail from South Texas and bring years of experience in federal law enforcement, including prior urban assignments addressing criminal activity linked to immigration violations.
The public release of their names drew immediate criticism from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who warned that revealing officer identities jeopardizes their safety and that of their families, citing a sharp increase in threats, assaults, and attacks on federal personnel in recent years.
ProPublica defended the disclosure, arguing that transparency is essential in incidents involving lethal force.
The outlet emphasized that withholding identities from Congress and state authorities limits accountability and diverges from standard law enforcement practices.
Pretti’s death prompted protests across Minneapolis opposing federal immigration operations.
President Trump signaled he might scale back federal activity in response to unrest, while border czar Tom Homan stressed that any reduction would require cooperation from local authorities.
TP reported that Ochoa’s and Gutierrez’s involvement has fueled debate over operational secrecy, officer safety, and the public’s right to oversight.
Lawmakers from both parties called for transparent investigations, The Post Millennial noted.
“Those responsible — no matter their title — must be held accountable,” said Utah Sen. John Curtis (R), underscoring the need for independent review.
Masked federal operations in urban settings have raised concerns about timely information sharing and public accountability.
Identifying Ochoa and Gutierrez complicates early narratives that emphasized racial elements while overlooking operational context.
The episode highlights the challenges of federal enforcement in metropolitan areas, balancing officer safety, public scrutiny, and the rights of individuals during high-risk interventions.
Analysts note operations like Metro Surge place officers in situations requiring split-second decisions, and limited public information can intensify confusion and mistrust.
As the DOJ civil rights investigation continues, the case underscores the tensions inherent in masked federal operations, the secrecy surrounding officer identities, and the public demand for transparency.
Developments in Minneapolis illustrate the difficult choices federal agencies face in enforcing immigration laws while protecting both officers and communities, sparking an ongoing national conversation about operational security and accountability.
