Hennepin County Attorney seeks federal evidence in three Minneapolis-area immigration enforcement shootings under separate investigations
What county prosecutors are demanding
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has issued formal demands to federal agencies for investigative materials tied to three separate shootings connected to federal immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis this winter: the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, the fatal shooting of Renée Good on Jan. 7, and the non-fatal shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis on Jan. 14.
The requests seek physical evidence and records that local authorities say remain in federal custody, including weapons involved in the shootings and other case materials needed to evaluate potential criminal conduct. The county attorney has said the office is prepared to pursue additional legal steps if federal agencies do not provide the requested materials by a stated deadline of March 3.
How the investigations are being conducted without federal cooperation
State and county authorities have continued parallel fact-gathering efforts through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the county attorney’s office, relying in part on non-federal sources such as medical examiner findings, publicly available video, and community-submitted materials.
An evidence-submission portal backed by the Minnesota Attorney General and used by investigators has collected a large volume of tips and files, including recordings and eyewitness accounts. Prosecutors have emphasized that while autopsy findings can clarify cause and manner of death, access to the full set of physical evidence and federal investigative records is important for assessing the circumstances of each shooting and the conduct of involved federal personnel.
Key incidents under review
Jan. 24: Alex Pretti — Pretti was fatally shot in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. State and county officials have sought access to evidence gathered by federal agencies.
Jan. 7: Renée Good — Good was fatally shot in south Minneapolis during federal immigration enforcement activity. County prosecutors previously demanded evidence in this case and set a response deadline of Feb. 17, which they said did not yield the requested materials.
Jan. 14: Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis — Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national, was shot in the leg in north Minneapolis. The criminal case against three men connected to the incident was dismissed. Two federal agents were placed on leave and are under investigation related to allegations of false testimony under oath after video emerged disputing key claims.
Preservation of evidence and the legal backdrop
Within hours of the Jan. 24 shooting, state officials obtained a temporary restraining order in federal court that barred federal agencies and personnel from destroying or altering evidence related to the death. The order was later lifted after a federal judge said the court had received assurances that evidence would be properly maintained.
Federal officials have argued in public statements that Minnesota lacks jurisdiction over federal agents under the Constitution’s supremacy clause. State and county officials have countered that state criminal law can still apply when conduct falls outside lawful federal authority.
The central dispute now is not whether the shootings occurred, but whether state and county investigators will obtain the underlying federal evidence needed to complete charging decisions and public accountability reviews.
What comes next
County prosecutors have set March 3 as the deadline for the latest round of federal compliance. If federal agencies do not provide materials, the county attorney has said litigation remains an option while state and local investigations continue on an independent track.