FBI Formally Refuses Minnesota Search Warrant in Fatal Federal Agent Shooting Investigations

(KNSI) — The FBI has formally refused to provide the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension with any information or evidence collected in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents on January 24th.

The FBI’s refusal to cooperate comes as federal agents are now linked to three fatal or near-fatal shootings in Minnesota within 18 days, including one case where officers’ justification for deadly force has already been discredited.

The BCA arrived at the shooting scene on a public street that morning and was refused access by agents. Investigators returned with a court-ordered search warrant issued by an independent judge and were refused a second time.

BCA Superintendent Drew Evans reiterated the request to receive information, access to evidence, and cooperation in the fatal January 7th shooting of Renee Good and the January 14th shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis, both by federal agents. It remains unclear whether there will be any cooperation or information sharing related to those cases. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers involved in the Sosa-Celis shooting are on leave after their claims of being attacked and beaten before firing in self-defense were proven false.

In a press release, Evans says, “While the lack of cooperation is concerning and unprecedented, the BCA is committed to thorough, independent and transparent investigations of these incidents, even if hampered by a lack of access to key information and evidence. Our agency has committed to the FBI and Department of Justice that should its stance change, we remain willing to share information that we have obtained with that agency and would welcome a joint investigation. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues to gain access to relevant information and evidence.”

BCA investigations of these incidents continue, and the agency will present its findings “without recommendation to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities for review.”

Anyone with information about the shooting of Pretti, Good or Sosa-Celis is urged to contact the BCA at 651-793-7000 or by email at bca.tips@state.mn.us.

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