Man Border Patrol Agents Were Seeking After Minneapolis Shooting Remains at Large
Federal officials said Border Patrol agents were searching for an Ecuadorean named Jose Huerta-Chuma when they fatally shot Alex Pretti on a Minneapolis sidewalk during a Saturday operation, and as of Jan. 28, 2026, Mr. Huerta-Chuma remained at large, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.
At least eight federal agents in tactical gear took part in the operation, which federal officials have framed as part of a campaign to deport “the worst of the worst.” A Times video analysis found eight agents were involved, and observers have criticized the display of force as disproportionate; Mike Berger, Hennepin County’s chief public defender, said, “They are literally murdering our neighbors to catch people with misdemeanors.” Gregory Bovino, who headed Border Patrol operations in Minneapolis until his reassignment, said Mr.
Huerta-Chuma had a significant criminal history. Minnesota court records reviewed by The New York Times show Mr. Huerta-Chuma has had traffic violations and one misdemeanor related to domestic abuse, and has never been convicted of a felony. Mr. Bovino said the record included “domestic assault to intentionally inflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license,” but court records show that a 2018 misdemeanor domestic assault charge resulted in a guilty plea to a lesser disorderly conduct offense that was later expunged.
Two women sought civil restraining orders against Mr.
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