Minneapolis, Minn. — Two federal immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti have been identified as experienced members of Customs and Border Protection. Agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, were reported as the individuals who fired on the 37-year-old nurse during protests on January 24, according to government records obtained by investigative sources.
Ochoa and Gutierrez were in Minnesota as part of “Operation Metro Surge,” which deployed thousands of federal agents to the state in late 2020 for an intensified crackdown on immigration, initiated during the Trump administration. Following the incident, both officers were placed on administrative leave, as the Department of Homeland Security opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The names of the officers had not been publicly disclosed by Customs and Border Protection prior to the recent reports. A spokesperson for the department emphasized the dangers of revealing the identities of law enforcement personnel, arguing that such disclosures can expose them and their families to threats. “Doxxing our officers puts their lives and their families in serious danger,” the spokesperson stated, noting that agents are frequently positioned in high-stakes situations, including arresting serious criminals.
Ochoa, who joined the agency in 2018, resides in the Rio Grande Valley and has expressed a lifelong aspiration to serve in Border Patrol. His ex-wife noted he developed a strong interest in firearms, reportedly owning a significant collection of guns by the time of their separation in 2021. Gutierrez, part of a special response team that conducts high-risk operations akin to SWAT units, has been with the agency since 2014.
Calls for transparency have heightened, with lawmakers like Rep. Jamie Raskin from Maryland demanding that the agents involved in the shooting be publicly identified. Raskin stressed the need for accountability in the actions of federal agents, insisting that they should not operate in anonymity while engaging with the public.
Protests erupted in response to Pretti’s death, echoing those that followed the January shooting of Renee Good, another local victim of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. As public outcry grew, the Justice Department announced it would conduct a civil investigation into Pretti’s killing, led by the FBI.
The events surrounding Pretti’s death followed an incident in which federal officers attempted to disperse demonstrators. Initial reports state that a struggle ensued between Pretti and federal agents, during which claims were made that he had a weapon. A review by federal authorities indicates that after one officer shouted that Pretti had a gun, shots were fired seconds later.
As public sentiment mounts against federal immigration tactics, increasing scrutiny on law enforcement’s engagement with civilians, especially during protests, is anticipated. The community’s response remains fervent, as activists demand justice and a reconsideration of policies that escalate tensions between citizens and federal agents.