U.S. Border Patrol commander at large Greg Bovino defended federal agents involved in the Minneapolis shooting on Saturday, emphasizing that the victims in the incident were the officers themselves. “The victims are the Border Patrol agents. I’m not blaming them. The suspect put himself in that situation. The victims are the Border Patrol agents,” Bovino said during a briefing, framing the confrontation as a response to a dangerous and chaotic situation rather than an unprovoked use of force.

BASH: It feels as though you're blaming the victim here

BOVINO: The victims are the Border Patrol agents. I'm not blaming the Border Patrol agents. The victims are the Border Patrol agents. pic.twitter.com/rjmB7bOzrn

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 25, 2026

The comments come in the wake of the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was shot by Border Patrol agents during a federal operation in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security described the encounter as self-defense after Pretti allegedly approached officers with a loaded nine-millimeter handgun.

Bovino repeatedly stressed that the full context of the incident is complex, noting that Pretti injected himself into an active law enforcement operation targeting a violent suspect. He defended agents’ actions, saying officers had to respond to a situation involving a potentially armed individual amid a highly volatile crowd. Bovino also highlighted the challenges of responding to demonstrations that included both violent and nonviolent participants, asserting that officers were trained to use minimal force while maintaining their safety.

In addressing video footage suggesting Pretti was unarmed, Bovino cautioned against “freeze-frame adjudication” of the incident, emphasizing that investigators would determine the sequence of events, including how many shots were fired and the disposition of weapons. He disputed claims that agents acted recklessly, maintaining that officers were responding to threats in real time and that Pretti’s decision to engage put him at risk.

Border Commander: This Is Why We Have Investigations

Greg Bovino: "Dana, you don't know he was unarmed. I don't know he was unarmed. That's freeze frame adjudication of a crime scene via a photo. That's why we have investigators." https://t.co/uhBj6lSlGA pic.twitter.com/vGQtD2GnsW

— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) January 25, 2026

Bovino also noted the broader environment in Minneapolis, where federal law enforcement officers have faced harassment and threats from protestors. He suggested that rhetoric from local officials may have contributed to a tense situation, further complicating the law enforcement response. “You know, Dana, they’re trying to portray Border Patrol agents and ICE agents as Gestapo, Nazis, and many other words,” Bovino said, stressing that officers are operating under high-pressure conditions in volatile public settings.

The shooting sparked widespread protests in Minneapolis and drew attention in other cities, with federal and local authorities at odds over the investigation. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and local officials have challenged the federal account of the incident, asserting that Pretti was a lawful gun owner who posed no imminent threat. Bovino’s briefing underscored the federal perspective, framing the narrative around officer safety and the suspect’s role in escalating the confrontation.

As investigations continue, Bovino’s remarks highlight the federal law enforcement view that officers were placed in harm’s way by Pretti’s actions and that accountability must be assessed in the context of an active, chaotic law enforcement operation.