Minnesota officials announced Monday that they have secured body camera footage and other critical evidence from the federal government in the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, a development that marks a significant step in the state investigation into the January killings by immigration authorities.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty disclosed the breakthrough at a press conference, stating that her office had obtained hard drives containing previously withheld evidence. “Today, I am proud to announce that we have reached another important milestone in our work,” Moriarty said. “Through the cooperation of our federal partners, we have obtained the hard drives of previously withheld evidence in the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. That includes statements. That includes body-worn camera. We got, and the [Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)] currently has, Renee Good’s car. That has been analyzed.”
The shootings, which occurred in Minneapolis in January, were carried out by federal immigration agents, igniting widespread backlash against the Trump administration and its aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense criticism over the incidents and was later replaced by current Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed lingering frustration over the federal government’s initial reluctance to cooperate. In a statement, Ellison said he remains “deeply troubled that the federal government spent more than half a year attempting to conceal this evidence from state investigators, and I hope this is the beginning of a major course correction on the part of the federal government.” He added, “My aim has always been to ensure justice is done, and this evidence-sharing is a positive development in that essential work.”
The case has drawn parallels to other high-profile incidents where families and state officials have fought for transparency from federal agencies. For instance, the family of a Memphis man killed by the National Guard is demanding body camera footage, highlighting a recurring pattern of tension between state investigators and federal authorities over evidence disclosure.
The timing of the evidence release is notable, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been involved in two additional fatal shootings in the past week—one in Texas and one in Maine. These incidents have further inflamed debates over federal immigration enforcement tactics and accountability.
The Hill has reached out to the Department of Justice for comment on the Minnesota evidence handover and broader oversight of immigration-related shootings. The case continues to fuel political discourse, with some lawmakers pointing to the need for systemic reforms, as seen in the ongoing Maine Senate turmoil redirecting Democratic donor dollars to other battlegrounds, where immigration policy remains a key issue.
Moriarty emphasized that the evidence obtained will be crucial for determining whether charges are warranted against the agents involved. The BCA is now analyzing the materials, including the body camera footage and vehicle, to piece together the events leading to the deaths of Pretti and Good.
This development comes amid broader scrutiny of federal transparency in law enforcement actions. In a separate case, newspapers are seeking sanctions against OpenAI over evidence in a copyright fight, underscoring the growing importance of evidence access in legal and political battles.
