UN human rights experts raise extrajudicial killing concerns after two federal-agent shootings in Minneapolis

Two January deaths involving federal agents draw international scrutiny

United Nations human rights experts have raised concerns that two fatal shootings by federal immigration enforcement personnel in Minneapolis in January 2026 may constitute extrajudicial killings, intensifying calls for independent investigations and public disclosure of evidence.

The cases involve the deaths of two Minneapolis residents: Renée Good, 37, who was fatally shot on Jan. 7, 2026 during an encounter with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, and Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive-care nurse, who was fatally shot on Jan. 24, 2026 during a confrontation involving Customs and Border Protection personnel in south Minneapolis.

What is known about the two encounters

In the Jan. 7 incident, federal authorities have described Good as being shot during an encounter as she attempted to drive away in an SUV. The death triggered immediate local and national protests, with city and state officials pressing for transparency and accountability while federal investigations continued.

In the Jan. 24 incident, federal agencies reported that two officers fired their weapons during a struggle that followed an attempt to take Pretti into custody. Federal officials have said the confrontation unfolded amid heightened tensions and street-level protests connected to ongoing immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Pretti’s death a homicide.

Core issues raised by UN experts

UN-appointed experts, who regularly assess compliance with international human rights standards, have questioned whether the use of lethal force in both cases met the strict threshold required under international law. That standard generally limits lethal force to situations where it is necessary to protect life from an imminent threat, and requires effective, impartial investigations when deaths occur at the hands of state agents.

The experts’ interventions focus on whether the killings were avoidable, whether de-escalation was attempted, and whether U.S. authorities are ensuring prompt accountability mechanisms. The experts also emphasized protections for bystanders, witnesses, and individuals documenting law enforcement actions.

Policy and accountability steps now underway

After the two deaths, federal officials announced operational changes in Minneapolis, including steps to expand the use of body-worn cameras for federal immigration enforcement personnel deployed in the city. The Trump administration also announced a reduction in the number of federal immigration officers operating in Minnesota, while Minneapolis officials said significant federal capacity remained in the region.

Public demonstrations have continued. On Feb. 7, 2026, dozens of protesters were arrested outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building during a protest marking one month since Good’s death.

• Jan. 7, 2026: Renée Good fatally shot during encounter involving an ICE officer.
• Jan. 24, 2026: Alex Pretti fatally shot during encounter involving CBP personnel.
• Feb. 7, 2026: Arrests during demonstration outside the federal building in Minneapolis.

The central factual question in both cases remains whether lethal force was necessary to address an imminent threat, and whether subsequent investigations are independent, thorough, and transparent.

Multiple investigations and reviews remain active, and further releases of video, forensic findings, and official reports are expected to shape the legal and public outcomes in the coming weeks.