Crime
Claire Louise Feng and Emily Duchateau Baierl arrested after biting agents fingers moments after Alex Pretti was killed
Two women are facing federal charges after allegedly assaulting U.S. Border Patrol agents during a confrontation that followed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis over the weekend, authorities said.
According to federal court records, Claire Louise Feng, 27, of St. Paul, and Emily Duchateau Baierl, 37, of Minneapolis, were arrested on January 24 and charged in U.S. District Court with assaulting federal law enforcement officers.
Feng was formally charged the following day. Baierl faces the same charge. Both women were scheduled to make their initial court appearances on January 26.
Court documents indicate that neither defendant has an attorney listed at this time.
Both remain in custody at the Sherburne County Jail pending a determination of bail.
The charges stem from events that unfolded shortly after Pretti, 37, was fatally shot by federal agents at approximately 9 a.m. during an immigration enforcement operation.
Following the shooting, federal officers established a security perimeter as a crowd began to gather near the scene.
According to criminal complaints filed against Feng and Baierl, tensions escalated around 9:25 a.m. after federal agents deployed chemical agents in an effort to prevent individuals from approaching the area.
Investigators allege that a woman kicked a chemical canister back toward officers.
As an agent attempted to arrest the individual, he fell to the ground.
The complaint states that Feng then tackled the agent, prompting a second officer to intervene and pull her away.
As Feng was taken to the ground and restrained face down, the second agent reached beneath her to secure her arm. At that point, authorities allege that Feng bit the agentโs right ring finger.
According to the complaint, the agentโs vision was impaired by his gas mask, and he was initially unaware of the severity of the injury, though he knew he had been hurt.
After removing his glove, the agent discovered that the tip of his finger had been bitten off.
The severed fingertip was later found inside the glove, and the agent received medical treatment approximately 45 minutes after the incident.
In a separate encounter around the same time, a Border Patrol agent attempted to arrest Baierl after observing her allegedly throwing objects toward officers.
Investigators say the agent was pushed away by another individual, after which a second agent attempted to detain Baierl.
While the officer attempted to remove her face covering, Baierl allegedly bit the agentโs middle finger, which was covered by a glove.
The death of Pretti marks the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in Minnesota this month, amid a large-scale immigration enforcement effort known as Operation Metro Surge.
Federal authorities have not released additional details regarding the ongoing investigation into the shooting itself.
The cases against Feng and Baierl remain pending in federal court.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. โ Authorities and family members have identified the victims killed in Mondayโs tragic shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena as Rhonda Dorgan and her son, Aidan Dorgan.
The shooting occurred during a high school โSenior Nightโ hockey game and left two people dead and three others critically injured.
Police said the suspect, Robert K. Dorgan, 56, died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following the attack, which authorities have described as stemming from a family dispute.
In a statement shared by relatives, the Dorgan family described the profound loss they are now facing.
โOur family has been forever changed by the tragic events at Lynch Arena, where we lost our beloved brother Aidan and their mother Rhonda, who was also my stepmother,โ the statement read.
In addition to the deaths of Rhonda and Aidan, two grandparents remain hospitalized in critical condition and are fighting for their lives, according to family members.
Ava Dorgan, a nursing student, and Colin Dorgan, a 17-year-old high school senior, are now facing the future without their mother and older brother.
Family members described the emotional toll as overwhelming, particularly given their young ages.
โThe weight of this loss is something no one should ever have to bear,โ the family said. โDespite the pain, Ava and Colin are determined to continue their education and build lives that honor the memory of those we have lost.โ
Following the shooting, Ava Dorgan spoke briefly with reporters outside Pawtucket police headquarters, confirming that the gunman was her father.
โMy father was the shooter. He shot my family, and heโs dead now,โ she said. She described him as โmentally illโ and โvery sick,โ attributing the violence to long-standing mental health struggles.
Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed that the suspect also went by the name Roberta Esposito and stated that investigators are continuing to examine his background and the events leading up to the shooting.
The shooting erupted at approximately 2:30 p.m., roughly 30 minutes after the Senior Night game began.
The matchup featured a cooperative team comprised of Coventry and Johnston players competing against a co-op team including students from St. Raphael Academy, Providence Country Day School, North Providence, and North Smithfield.
Livestream footage captured multiple gunshots ringing out from the stands, sending players and spectators scrambling for safety.
Witnesses described a scene of panic as families fled the arena and sought shelter nearby.
Chief Goncalves said officers arrived within approximately 90 seconds of receiving the initial report of gunfire.
A bystander intervened during the incident and attempted to subdue the shooter, actions the chief credited with preventing further loss of life.
None of the players on the ice were physically injured, though many witnessed the violence firsthand.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting local authorities in the ongoing investigation. Police have interviewed more than 100 witnesses and are asking anyone with additional video footage to come forward.
Court records indicate that Robert Dorgan had a history of family conflicts, some involving disputes related to gender identity.
In 2020, he reported to the North Providence Police Department that he had undergone gender reassignment surgery and alleged conflicts with extended family members following that decision.
Dorganโs divorce from Rhonda Dorgan was finalized in June 2021.
Initial divorce filings referenced gender reassignment surgery and personality traits before being amended to cite irreconcilable differences.
Authorities have not publicly identified a definitive motive beyond describing the shooting as the result of a family dispute.
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien called the incident devastating for the community.
โWhat should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night, was instead marked by violence and fear,โ Grebien said. โPawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning.โ
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also expressed condolences and encouraged anyone struggling in the aftermath to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. State officials said additional mental health resources will be made available to students and families affected by the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the Dorgan family says they are focusing on supporting one another and honoring the memory of Rhonda and Aidan.
โOur hearts are broken,โ the family said, โbut we will carry their love with us every day.โ