Crime
New development in Minneapolis shooting death of Alex Pretti
According to Bill Melugin, since the fatal shooting in Minnesota earlier this week, he has spoken with more than half a dozen federal officials involved in immigration enforcement, including several individuals in senior leadership roles.
These sources expressed growing unease and frustration with certain claims and narratives advanced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Specifically, multiple sources said there is significant dissatisfaction with DHS officials publicly asserting that the individual who was killed, Alex Pretti, intended to carry out a โmassacreโ of federal agents or sought to inflict โmaximum damage.โ
The sources noted that these claims continued even after multiple videos surfaced that appear to contradict that narrative.
While the sources acknowledged that Prettiโs decision to arrive armed and involve himself in an active federal law enforcement operation was a serious error, they said there is no evidence indicating he intended to attack or kill officers.
According to available video footage, Pretti does not appear to have drawn his holstered firearm.
Several sources described DHSโs public messaging following the shooting as severely damaging from both a public relations and internal morale standpoint, warning that it has eroded trust and credibility.
Some compared the situation to prior instances in which federal messaging was widely criticized as misleading, saying the response has undermined confidence among both the public and rank-and-file personnel.
One source characterized DHSโs handling of the incident as โa case study in how not to conduct crisis communications.โ Others expressed deep frustration, with one saying the agencyโs response has worsened the situation, and another stating that DHSโs approach is costing the agency support and control of the broader narrative.
According to these officials, many believe the incident may ultimately be classified as a โbad shoot,โ describing it as a rapidly unfolding, chaotic situation in which agents may have heard a warning of a firearm, followed by a possible accidental discharge after the weapon was disarmed, prompting officers to fire.
The sources emphasized that agents were forced to make split-second decisions without the benefit of multiple camera angles or hindsight analysis.
While all of the sources said they support the broader immigration enforcement and mass deportation agenda, they expressed serious concerns about how operations are being conducted and how incidents are communicated publicly.
Several also noted frustration that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is frequently blamed for actions taken by U.S. Border Patrol, which operates as a separate agency.
Melugin said he reached out to DHS for comment regarding concerns that the agencyโs rhetoric and public statements have damaged its credibility.
In response, DHS provided the following statement to Fox News:
โWe have seen a highly coordinated campaign of violence against our law enforcement. This individual committed a federal crime while armed as he obstructed an active law enforcement operation. As with any situation that is evolving, we work to give swift, accurate information to the American people as more information becomes available.โ
MT. JULIET, Tenn. โ Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.