NRA challenges federal prosecutor’s Minneapolis shooting comments as investigations continue into agent’s fatal use of force

Public dispute follows fatal shooting during federal immigration operation in south Minneapolis

The National Rifle Association has criticized a social media post by Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, after a fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis raised questions about how armed civilians are characterized in fast-moving law enforcement encounters.

Essayli wrote online that when a person approaches law enforcement with a gun, an officer is likely to be justified in shooting that person. The NRA responded that the message was “dangerous and wrong,” arguing that prosecutors should avoid statements that could stigmatize lawful gun ownership and should wait for investigators to establish what happened before drawing conclusions.

What is known about the Minneapolis shooting

The shooting occurred Saturday, Jan. 24, when 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti was killed during an incident involving federal officers conducting an immigration enforcement operation. Local officials identified Pretti as a Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a lawful gun owner and had a Minnesota permit to carry.

Video from the scene circulating publicly does not show Pretti pointing a firearm at officers. Federal officials have said Pretti had a gun and that officers tried to disarm him before a U.S. Border Patrol agent fired. Accounts diverge on whether Pretti posed an immediate threat at the moment shots were fired.

• Federal authorities have described the shooting as occurring after an attempt to disarm Pretti during a confrontation.
• Video reviewed by multiple outlets shows Pretti holding a phone while recording in at least some moments leading up to the shooting.
• Minneapolis police have stated Pretti legally possessed the firearm and was permitted to carry it.

Essayli’s clarification and the broader legal sensitivities

After the NRA’s response, Essayli wrote that his comment was not intended to claim it is legally justified to shoot “law-abiding concealed carriers.” He said he was referring to “agitators” who approach law enforcement while armed and refuse to disarm, adding advice that people should not aggressively approach officers while armed.

The exchange has drawn attention because it involves a federal prosecutor commenting publicly on a high-profile use-of-force incident in another jurisdiction while investigators have not publicly released a complete evidentiary record.

Context: multiple federal use-of-force incidents in Minneapolis this month

The Jan. 24 shooting was reported as the second fatal shooting by federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis this month amid an intensified immigration crackdown. The earlier incident involved the killing of Renée Good on Jan. 7 during an encounter with a federal officer, prompting public demonstrations and calls for accountability.

Investigations into the Jan. 24 shooting remain ongoing. Key unresolved issues include whether and when Pretti’s firearm was visible, how officers communicated perceived threats, and whether the use of lethal force complied with applicable federal policies and Minnesota law.