# Federal Officials Halt Evidence Sharing in Minnesota Agent Killings

> Federal authorities stopped providing evidence to Minnesota officials investigating the January 2026 killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents, after briefly cooperating in July 2026.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-24T06:46:28.723958Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/federal-officials-halt-evidence-sharing-in-minnesota-agent-killings-7f2ef3e6

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.

## Evidence cited
1. Feds stopped sharing evidence in Good, Pretti killings after July announcement, Minnesota suit claims - CBS Minnesota (CBS News) — https://cbsnews.com/
2. ICE officer accused of lying about shooting a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis pleads not guilty to federal charges (KTVB.com) — https://ktvb.com/
3. Feds turn over evidence in ICE shootings, but Pretti family says U.S. Attorney won't confirm agreement (MPR News) — https://mprnews.org/
4. DHS Announces Charges in Attempted Murder of Federal Law Enforcement in Minneapolis (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) — https://dhs.gov/
5. Alex Pretti's killing intensifies outrage over federal immigration tactics | PBS NewsHour (PBS NewsHour) — https://pbs.org/
6. Border Patrol Chief Under Investigation for Alleged Misconduct and Antisemitism When He Retired (The New Republic) — https://newrepublic.com/
7. Gregory Bovino Retired While Under Border Patrol Investigation, Newly Released Records Show (Latin Times) — https://latintimes.com/
8. Damning Truth About Notorious Border Goon’s Exit Exposed (The Daily Beast) — https://thedailybeast.com/
9. Ex-Border Patrol chief was under investigation when he retired, records show : r/chicago (Reddit) — https://reddit.com/
10. Operation Metro Surge results in 203 million dollar impact on Minneapolis (minneapolismn.gov) — https://minneapolismn.gov/
11. Feds halt MN Metro Surge shooting evidence (FOX 9) — https://fox9.com/
12. Operation Metro Surge | Minnesota Department of Health (mn.gov) — https://mn.gov/
13. Killing of Renée_Good - Wikipedia (Wikipedia) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Ren%C3%A9e_Good
14. Operation Metro Surge ICE Shooting Victims Loved Ones Address Congress – OpGov.News (OpGov.News) — https://opgov.news/city-of-minneapolis/operation-metro-surge-ice-shooting-victims-loved-ones-address-congress/
15. Minnesota sues Trump administration over evidence related to shootings, including deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good - CNN (CNN) — https://cnn.com/
16. Renee Good's family sue Trump admin for 'no accountability' in her killing | US News | CNN-News18 - YouTube (YouTube) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S016hIq4O8M
17. Killing of Alex Pretti - Wikipedia (Wikipedia) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Alex_Pretti
18. Alex Pretti: Federal agents kill second man in Minneapolis immigration crackdown - YouTube (YouTube) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nl-dJ4pY_A
19. Bovino removed from his role as US Border Patrol commander at large — report (Daily Maverick) — https://dailymaverick.co.za/
20. Gregory Bovino - Wikipedia (Wikipedia) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Bovino
21. Trump administration reshuffles Minneapolis immigration crackdown leadership after fatal shootings | US news | The Guardian (The Guardian) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/27/gregory-bovino-minneapolis-border-patrol-commander-removed-tom-homan
22. Gregory Bovino stripped of Border Patrol role after Minneapolis shooting fallout (The Jerusalem Post) — https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-798835
23. Greg Bovino Isn't Losing Job Despite Report Suggesting Otherwise, DHS Says (Forbes) — https://www.forbes.com/sites/antonipequenoiv/2026/01/26/greg-bovino-isnt-losing-job-despite-report-suggesting-otherwise-dhs-says/
24. “A Manufactured Crisis”: Minnesota Communities Terrorized by the Federal Government (Human Rights Watch) — https://www.hrw.org/report/2026/06/18/manufactured-crisis/minnesota-communities-terrorized-federal-government
25. Operation Metro Surge: Minnesota | Trump 2.0 | Immigration Policy Tracking Project (immpolicytracking.org) — https://www.immpolicytracking.org/trump-202/operation-metro-surge-minnesota
26. ICE in Minnesota: A Human Rights Crisis | NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (naacpldf.org) — https://www.naacpldf.org/ice-in-minnesota-a-human-rights-crisis/
27. Deadly “Operation Metro Surge” – Immigration Legal Resource Center (ilrc.org) — https://www.ilrc.org/resources/deadly-operation-metro-surge
28. Operation Metro Surge - Wikipedia (Wikipedia) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Metro_Surge
29. Trump administration stopped sharing evidence in Good and Pretti killings, Minnesota officials say | PBS NewsHour (PBS NewsHour) — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trump-administration-stopped-sharing-evidence-in-good-and-pretti-killings-minnesota-officials-say
30. Minnesota says Trump administration stopped sharing evidence in Good and Pretti killings | US news | The Guardian (The Guardian) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/23/minnesota-trump-administration-good-pretti-killings-evidence
31. Minnesota officials: Feds again won't share evidence in Good, Pretti killings (Star Tribune) — https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-officials-feds-wont-share-evidence-good-pretti-killings/600615998/
32. Minnesota Sues Trump Admin for Withheld Evidence in Good, Pretti Killings | In These Times (In These Times) — https://inthesetimes.com/article/minnesota-trump-administration-dhs-ice-good-pretti-killings-lawsuit
33. Homan announces end to Operation Metro Surge: 'MN now less of a sanctuary state' (KARE 11) — https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/tom-homan-operation-metro-surge-minnesota/89-2189d2d0-15ec-4475-a86d-6258f31b2680
34. Operation Metro Surge | Definition, Start Date, End Date, & History | Britannica (Britannica) — https://www.britannica.com/event/Operation-Metro-Surge
35. Border czar Tom Homan says Minnesota immigration surge is ending - The Washington Post (The Washington Post) — https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/02/12/border-czar-tom-homan-says-minnesota-immigration-surge-is-ending/
36. Tom Homan announces end of Operation Metro Surge, details next steps for immigration enforcement in Minnesota - YouTube (YouTube) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY3B92-U0pU
37. Minneapolis withdrawal was 'surrender,' Trump's ex-border patrol chief tells BBC (The Star) — https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/world/2026-10-24-minneapolis-withdrawal-was-surrender-trumps-ex-border-patrol-chief-tells-bbc/
38. Minneapolis withdrawal was ‘surrender,’ Trump’s ex-border patrol chief tells BBC – CedarNews.net (CedarNews.net) — https://cedarnews.net/2026/10/24/minneapolis-withdrawal-was-surrender-trumps-ex-border-patrol-chief-tells-bbc/
39. A Manufactured Crisis: Minnesota Communities Under Siege by Trump's Immigration Crackdown | Human Rights Watch (Human Rights Watch) — https://hrw.org/
40. Operation Metro Surge (Immigration Policy Tracking Project) — https://immpolicytracking.org/
41. ACLU Sues Federal Government to End ICE, CBP’s Practice of Suspicionless Stops, Warrantless Arrests, and Racial Profiling of Minnesotans | American Civil Liberties Union (American Civil Liberties Union) — https://aclu.org/
42. Operation Metro Surge ends as Trump's border czar announces federal agent drawdown in Minnesota (KARE 11) — https://kare11.com/
43. Minnesota sues DOJ and DHS over refusal to provide shootings evidence - JURIST - News (JURIST) — https://jurist.org/
44. Family of Renee Good Files Lawsuits Against Trump Administration Officials Over Fatal Shooting (WTTW) — https://wttw.com/