Federal judge orders ICE, DHS not to destroy or alter evidence in Minneapolis shooting

"The defendants, including their employees, agents and anyone acting in concert with them are prohibited from destroying or altering evidence related to the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Pretti, an ICU nurse at the VA hospital at Fort Snelling. That includes evidence that the defendants, and those working for them, removed from the scene or have taken into their exclusive custody."

"Defendants named in the order include the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. Border Control and their leadership, as well as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. Also named is David Easterwood, the acting director of the St. Paul Field Office for ICE and a pastor at Cities Church in St. Paul, the church that protesters interrupted Jan. 18."

A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Homeland Security and related federal agencies from altering or destroying evidence in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed the order on behalf of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. Ellison warned that state officials will seek legal recourse if federal officials openly defy the order. Minneapolis police requested a state BCA investigation, and the BCA obtained a search warrant but reported that federal agents blocked its investigative team from accessing the scene. Defendants named include DHS, ICE, CBP, U.S. Border Control, leadership figures, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and ICE acting St. Paul Field Office director David Easterwood. Pretti, 37, worked as an ICU nurse at the VA hospital at Fort Snelling.

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