NRA Challenges Trump Officials Over Minneapolis Shooting Incident

Mon Feb 02 2026 21:55:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The National Rifle Association and other gun rights activists have demanded a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, disputing claims made by Trump administration officials regarding the circumstances of the incident.

In the aftermath of the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, the NRA and various gun advocacy groups are urging the Trump administration to conduct a detailed investigation. They reject the narrative provided by officials, asserting that Pretti posed no threat. Conflicting accounts from multiple sources have led to public outcry and calls for accountability, with various politicians also weighing in on the contentious issue.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has joined other US gun lobby groups in calling for a full investigation by the Trump administration into the killing of Alex Pretti in Minnesota.

Comments from the NRA come after a border agent fatally shot Pretti - a registered nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital - in Minneapolis on Saturday.

State and federal officials have given starkly different accounts. The Trump administration has claimed that Pretti carried a gun and posed a danger to officers, while no available video evidence supports the assertion that Pretti held a weapon.

The NRA described the suggestion by a federal prosecutor that gun carriers risk being shot by officers as dangerous and wrong.

In a statement, the NRA emphasized, Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalisations and demonising law-abiding citizens. This remark was in response to comments from Bill Essayli, First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California, who highlighted the risks associated with approaching law enforcement while armed.

In a separate social-media post, the NRA stated their expectation for a thorough investigation into the use of force in this case. They urged political leaders to tone down rhetoric to protect both community members and law enforcement personnel.

Meanwhile, Gun Owners of America remarked that the Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right to bear arms peacefully, which the government cannot infringe upon. Politicians from various parties echoed these sentiments, defending the right to carry firearms.

Pretti’s shooting follows another recent incident in Minneapolis involving federal agents and has raised questions regarding ICE operations. Footage from bystanders captured the moments leading to the shooting, underlining public demand for transparency and accountability.

Officials have continued to debate the circumstances of the shooting, with various interpretations complicating the narrative. Meanwhil the Department for Homeland Security stated that officers acted in self-defense and that Pretti was a threat. However, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have denounced the administration's position.