MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The parents of Alex Pretti are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to release evidence to Minnesota investigators and provide answers about their son’s death, nine months after federal immigration officers fatally shot him during Operation Metro Surge. Michael and Susan Pretti appeared with their attorney, Steve Schleicher, at an October 27, 2026 news conference in Minneapolis. They said federal officials have failed to provide substantive updates about the investigation into the January 24 shooting. Pretti, 37, was an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. No criminal charges against the agents involved had been announced in the reporting reviewed for this article. Schleicher said the family recognizes that a thorough investigation takes time but questioned why federal authorities have not provided state investigators with all the evidence they requested. The Department of Justice defended the pace of its investigation. In a statement reported by news outlets covering the conference, DOJ said the timing was consistent with investigations of this kind and said communications with families generally occur at later stages, such as an indictment, initial appearance, plea, trial or sentencing, rather than during an investigation. The Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the family’s news conference. The evidence dispute follows a period of cooperation. On July 13, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced that state investigators had received hard drives containing previously withheld evidence in the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis. The county said the BCA had also shared its files with federal prosecutors and that analysis of the material was ongoing. According to court filings described in recent reporting, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen told her on September 10 that further evidence sharing would be paused indefinitely because of challenges with officials in Washington. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in an October 22 statement that state officials were continuing their federal court case seeking access to evidence. The dispute concerns additional material still sought by state investigators, rather than a claim that no evidence has ever been shared. Mark Osler, a University of St. Thomas law professor and former federal prosecutor, told KSTP that investigations involving a death can require substantial time to examine evidence and consider possible charges. He said prosecutors also have legitimate reasons to protect some investigative information. However, Osler disputed the suggestion that families ordinarily receive no meaningful communication during an investigation. He said a family’s unanswered requests for contact are unusual and raised concerns about the government’s treatment of victims’ relatives. Bystander recordings of the January shooting showed agents surrounding Pretti and a struggle on the ground before gunfire. Local authorities said he had a legal permit to carry a firearm. Questions about the officers’ actions and the circumstances of the shooting remain central to the investigations. The family and their attorney are asking federal authorities to provide the evidence so Minnesota investigators can complete their independent review. No final charging decision or court ruling resolving the current evidence dispute was independently verified for this article. Photo: Michael Pretti, Susan Pretti and attorney Steve Schleicher at the October 27 news conference in Minneapolis. Kerem Yücel / MPR News. Sources: KSTP and MPR News reporting; Hennepin County Attorney’s Office July 13 announcement; Minnesota Attorney General’s Office October 22 statement.