U.S. agents involved in latest Minneapolis shooting put on leave, media reports say

The two federal agents involved in the shooting death of Alex Pretti have been placed on administrative leave. Joy Malbon has the latest on the investigation.

WASHINGTON -- At least two federal agents who were involved in Saturday’s fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leave, two U.S. media outlets said on Wednesday.

The Department of Homeland Security said the two immigration agents who discharged their weapons during the deadly encounter with Alex Pretti were put on leave as part of standard procedures, Fox News reported.

MS NOW earlier reported that agents involved in the shooting of Pretti were being put on leave, citing an unnamed source.

Representatives for DHS could not be immediately reached to confirm the reports.

Immigration agents on Saturday fired multiple shots at Pretti, an ICU nurse at a hospital for veterans. His death was the second fatal encounter between Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and U.S. citizens in Minnesota this month, sparked a national uproar.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has said it is reviewing the shooting.

Reporting by Susan Heavey and Ted Hesson; editing by Costas Pitas, Reuters