The Department of Homeland Security is now reportedly investigating whether an accidental discharge played a part in theĀ fatal Minneapolis shooting on Saturday.
We know that Alex Pretti, the man who was killed by Border Patrol agents, was armed with a Sig Sauer P320 pistol.
Based on the footage we’ve probably all seen by now of the shooting, it appears that Pretti’s gun had been taken by one of the officers before they opened fire.
For reference, here’s a very useful breakdown of the video:
šØšŗšø BREAKING: JUSTIFIED!
THE ULTIMATE VIDEO BREAKDOWN OF THE MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING.
ā”ļø The "protestor" was armed and resisting.
ā”ļø An ICE agent removed a gun during the ensuing struggle.
ā”ļø The "protestor" continues to reach for a weapon.
ā”ļø The "protestor" wasā¦ pic.twitter.com/v4L9Ivpgzo— Patrick Sharp PolitiClips (@ginsengdrumming) January 25, 2026
Some people are saying that it looks like the firearm may have accidentally discharged in hand of the officer who seized it.
It’s possible that this may have caused the other CBP agents to believe Pretti had opened fire, and shoot back.
Watch this zoomed-in clip and decide what you think for yourself:
It was the sig going off that spooked the ICE men. pic.twitter.com/JMqU9OOQYA
— meme bastard š (@mask_bastard) January 25, 2026
This doesn’t excuse the fact that Alex Pretti assaulted federal agents while armed with a gun and two additional magazines.
That wasn’t bound to end well.
But, it may shed some more light on exactly what prompted officers to open fire. And, if true, it’s very unfortunate.
As part of the DHS’ investigation into the incident, they are digging in to this potentiality.
The New York Post reported:
The Department of Homeland Security is investigating whether an errant shot from Alex Prettiās handgun ā after it was taken off of him ā caused Border Patrol agents to think they were being fired on, The Post has learned.
As a result of the accidental discharge, which happened while the gun was in a Border agentās hand, other officers may have believed their lives were in danger ā resulting in the split-second decision to open fire on Pretti, killing him, multiple sources familiar with the investigation said.
The explanation is a shift from initial claims by DHS officials, who at first said Pretti was brandishing the Sig Sauer P320 pistol, which he was legally allowed to carry.
āIt was 100% an accidental discharge by the agent that relieved that person of their weapon. Because everyoneās guns were out, they think that thereās a shooting,ā one source said.
Additional sources confirmed that this is the explanation for the shooting that DHS is investigating.
The Sig Sauer P320 has faced reports of āuncommanded dischargesā due to external factors affecting the trigger, something the company has denied.
The handgun, which is used extensively by US civilians and law enforcement ā including ICE, has no external safety lever.
It is very notable that the Sig Sauer P320 is somewhat notorious for accidentally discharging.
Take a look at this example of how easily this type of gun can go off, unprompted:
Alex Pretti: Evidence his gun may have been defective
Gun rights advocate @TaylorDRhodes2A made a video 5 months ago showing the same gun Alex Pretti was carrying can accidentally discharge.
Some people are speculating the first shot heard in the footage was Pretti's gun afterā¦ pic.twitter.com/b2nNnY8urQ
— Free the World šŗš²šš¦ (@PatriotVerity) January 25, 2026
Alex Pretti: Evidence his gun may have been defective
Gun rights advocate @TaylorDRhodes2A
made a video 5 months ago showing the same gun Alex Pretti was carrying can accidentally discharge.Some people are speculating the first shot heard in the footage was Pretti’s gun after an officer removed it from his belt, after they shout “GUN GUN”, and the second officer reacted with the next shot.
Did the gun go off unprompted?!?
If that’s the case, ICE agent/liability debates aside, Alex Pretti’s family could probably sue Sig Sauer (the manufacturer of the P320 pistol).
This video shows repeatable unprompted discharge.
Hopefully, we’ll have some definite answers soon.
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