In both the Renee Good and Alex Pretti cases, opinions remain sharply divided over what actually happened when the fatal shots were fired.

Despite countless videos capturing the events, two camps have emerged: those who believe federal agents acted appropriately, and those who insist the deadly shootings were completely unjustified.

Recently, someone asked an AI system who was “at fault” in the ICE shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti — and the answer surprised many.

Gunshots can be heard
ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis on January 24, marking the city’s second fatal encounter involving federal agents this month. Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, had been killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7.

Pretti later joined protests over Good’s death.

His father explained that his son “cared deeply about people and was very upset with what ICE was doing in Minneapolis and across the US.”

Footage shows how Pretti is brought to the ground by several ICE officers, and in a video taken from a nearby shop, gunshots can be heard.

Federal agents claimed Alex Pretti, 37, forced their hand on a Minneapolis street Saturday morning, alleging he “violently resisted” disarmament until the officers fired “defensive shots.”

Bystander footage appears to tell a different story. https://t.co/2zHwDkaGy7 pic.twitter.com/cK0tq4izGt

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 25, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security stated in a post on X that federal agents were carrying out a targeted operation against an undocumented immigrant “wanted for violent assault” when “an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.”

DHS claimed that one of the agents fired in self-defense after Pretti — who they said was armed — resisted efforts to be disarmed.

However, eyewitnesses, several officials, and Pretti’s family have challenged that account.

AI answers
After reviewing the footage, someone asked an AI system who was “at fault,” and the response caught attention. ChatGPT reviewed multiple bystander videos captured from different angles and analyzed the sequence of events.

The system concluded that Pretti was holding a phone — not a weapon — before the agents engaged him. It noted that several officers wrestled him to the ground, and he “appeared to be shot while he was pinned to the ground.”

The AI further observed that federal claims suggesting Pretti approached agents with a firearm contradict the visual evidence from bystanders.

While a gun was recovered later, video analysis indicates it was not in his hands during the confrontation. ChatGPT also commented on the NRA’s intervention, stating:

“It pushes the needle further away from justifying the shooting rather than toward it.”

Although no legal ruling has been issued, the AI system suggested that primary responsibility seems to rest with the federal agents. It stated that:

“Lethal force was not justified under standard law-enforcement protocols,” which require an immediate threat to life before deadly force can legally be used.

The AI concluded that the standard for justified deadly force was not met in the shooting of Alex Pretti — but after the bot’s analysis went public, many people on social media voiced strong disagreement.

One commenter wrote: “Who cares what AI says, look at the video and believe your eyes!” sarcastically questioning the bot’s judgment.

Another argued: “Trumpet is at fault.. he sent them in..,” shifting blame toward political leadership.

A third user added: “The shooting was wild and out of control one bullet would have stopped any more conflict if they felt justified enough. This was an execution.”

And a fourth chimed in with: “So AI understands the law better than the current administration. Figures.”

Protests erupt across the US
Following the killing of Prettu, protests broke out in multiple cities, including Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Providence, and Washington, DC. Demonstrators had already taken to Minneapolis streets the day before to oppose ICE actions. Livestreams captured crowds chanting, “F*** ICE, ICE out.”

In New York City, thousands gathered in Union Square, shouting, “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE.” Hundreds rallied outside the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, DC, chanting “shame” in the cold night.

A “domestic terrorist”
Meanwhile, President Trump and MAGA supporters have labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and defended the agents as acting in self-defense.

Yet it has been reported that Pretti legally carried a firearm under the Second Amendment and did not brandish it in a threatening manner

Even the National Rifle Association (NRA) spoke out against the government’s rhetoric, describing it as “dangerous and wrong.”

The group stated, “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.” They emphasized that Pretti was within his rights to possess and carry a firearm.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security say they are gathering statements from people on the ground and reviewing video footage to figure out exactly what happened. Meanwhile, a federal judge took rare legal action over the weekend to protect key evidence in the case.

On Saturday, a Minnesota judge issued a temporary restraining order that prevents federal agencies — including Homeland Security — from destroying, altering, or tampering with any evidence connected to the shooting. That includes material taken from the scene or held exclusively by federal authorities.

The “border czar” to Minnesota
At the same time as protests continue to erupt, President Donald Trump announced he is sending White House “border czar” Tom Homan to Minnesota to address tensions after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. Trump wrote on Truth Social:

“He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”

In a separate post on X, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Homan will be on the ground managing ICE operations with a focus on enforcement:

“[Homan will continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.]”