Federal Officials Halt Evidence Sharing in Minnesota Agent Killings

Federal authorities ceased sharing evidence with Minnesota officials investigating the January 2026 killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents, following an initial period of cooperation in July 2026[1][29][30]. This interruption in information flow complicates Minnesota's efforts to conduct independent investigations into these incidents during a federal operation that led to multiple fatalities and significant community impact.

This development raises questions about transparency and accountability for federal law enforcement actions, especially in cases where civilians die. State and local investigations depend on such evidence to fully understand events and to hold responsible parties to account[1][15].

What the records show

Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit in March 2026 against the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to obtain evidence needed for independent inquiries into three shootings involving federal agents[1][15][29]. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced in July 2026 that federal authorities had started releasing evidence. This included hard drives containing statements and body camera footage, as well as the 2014 Honda Pilot Renee Good was driving when ICE Agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot her on January 7, 2026[3][13]. However, by October 2026, Minnesota officials stated in court filings that the federal government had stopped sharing evidence shortly after the July announcement[1]. This withheld material reportedly includes the gun used to shoot Alex Pretti, cell phones, and recorded statements from federal agents[11].

The timeline

The Department of Homeland Security launched "Operation Metro Surge" in Minneapolis–Saint Paul in December 2025, deploying between 2,000 and 3,000 federal agents[10][24][26][27]. Lawsuits alleged this operation involved racial profiling and warrantless arrests[25]. Renee Good was fatally shot by a federal agent on January 7, 2026[13][14]. Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis was non-fatally shot on January 14, 2026[2][4]. Federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026[5][17]. Gregory Bovino, then commander-at-large for the U.S. Border Patrol, was removed from his leadership role in the operation in January 2026 after criticism of his comments following Pretti's death[19][20][21][22]. Operation Metro Surge began a partial withdrawal in February 2026 and officially ended on February 12, 2026[16][18][28]. Bovino retired in March 2026, two weeks after an internal government watchdog contacted him regarding misconduct allegations[6][7][8][9]. Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration in March 2026 to access evidence for investigations[15]. While some evidence was shared in July 2026, cooperation stopped soon after[1][3][29]. The City of Minneapolis estimated at least $203.1 million in economic and social impacts from the operation[10][12].

What changed and for whom

For Minnesota officials, the initial evidence sharing in July represented progress in their independent investigations into the shootings[3]. The subsequent halt means they are again without pieces of evidence, hindering their efforts to fully understand the deaths of Good and Pretti[1][11]. The Trump administration, through DHS, initially deployed a significant federal presence, then scaled it back, and eventually ended Operation Metro Surge[16][18][21]. The federal government's recent decision to stop sharing evidence marks a reversal of a period of cooperation and continues a pattern of resistance to state-level oversight of federal actions[1][29].

What the subject has said publicly

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated on January 26, 2026, that Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino "has NOT been relieved of his duties," despite reports suggesting otherwise after the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good[23]. Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, announced on February 12, 2026, that Operation Metro Surge would conclude, stating, "As a result of our efforts here Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals"[16]. Regarding the January 14, 2026, shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, DHS released details alleging "criminal illegal aliens" violently assaulted law enforcement to evade arrest[4]. Federal officials did announce in July 2026 that evidence sharing had begun[3]. However, recent court filings indicate the federal government has since stopped this process[1][29][30].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific reasons cited by federal authorities for stopping the sharing of evidence with Minnesota officials. We also could not confirm what next steps Minnesota officials plan to take in their lawsuit to compel the federal government to resume evidence sharing.