ProPublica doxes Latino federal agents involved in shooting of armed agitator Alex Pretti in Minnesota

ProPublica has published the names of two federal immigration agents identified in government records as the shooters in the deadly Minneapolis encounter that saw armed agitator Alex Pretti fatally shot.

ProPublica reported the agents, both Latino, are Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35. Both were assigned to Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale immigration enforcement effort launched in December that deployed armed agents across Minneapolis. Ochoa joined CBP in 2018, while Gutierrez joined in 2014 and serves on a special response team handling high-risk operations. Records indicate both are from South Texas.

A note from the editors at ProPublica read: "ProPublica is publishing the names of the two federal immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Minnesota protester Alex Pretti. We believe there are few investigations that deserve more sunlight and public scrutiny than this one, in which two masked agents fired 10 shots at Pretti as he lay on the ground after being pepper-sprayed.  

"The Department of Justice said it is investigating the incident, but the names of the two agents have been withheld from Congress and from state and local law enforcement," the note continued.

"The policy of shielding officers’ identities, particularly after a public shooting, is a stark departure from standard law enforcement protocols, according to lawmakers, state attorneys general and former federal officials. Such secrecy, in our view, deprives the public of the most fundamental tool for accountability."

Federal officials have acknowledged that two agents fired Glock pistols during the Jan. 24 confrontation but have not publicly confirmed the agents’ identities. Customs and Border Protection, which employs both men, has released limited details about the shooting and said the agents were placed on leave.

Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, was killed during an encounter with federal agents in a popular food and arts district. His death followed the earlier fatal shooting of another Minneapolis agitator, Renee Good, and triggered days of unrest and calls for independent investigations.

A notice sent to members of Congress stated that the shooting occurred after agents attempted to remove Pretti and a woman from a roadway. According to the report, Pretti resisted efforts to take him into custody and agents later yelled, “He’s got a gun!” before firing their weapons.

Authorities have confirmed Pretti was carrying a legally owned handgun. Videos circulated online show a chaotic struggle involving masked agents, with some footage appearing to show an agent taking Pretti’s gun before shots were fired, though officials dispute that interpretation.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for transparency. “We must have a transparent, independent investigation into the Minnesota shooting, and those responsible—no matter their title—must be held accountable,” said GOP Senator John Curtis.

The Department of Justice confirmed Friday that its Civil Rights Division is investigating the shooting. A spokesperson declined to say whether materials such as body-camera footage have been shared with investigators. State officials in Minnesota have said they have not been provided the agents’ names or access to evidence.