Who is Jesus Ochoa? Border Patrol Agent named in fatal Alex Pretti shooting as Federal Secrecy fuels outrage
An undated handout image of Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by U.S. immigration agents as they tried to detain him in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 25, 2026. Image Source: Department Of Veterans Affairs via Reuters
Federal records have identified Jesus Ochoa, a US Border Patrol agent, as one of the officers who fatally shot Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, igniting nationwide protests and renewed calls for accountability in federal law enforcement.
The disclosure, first reported by ProPublica and confirmed by the Guardian, comes amid mounting criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the secrecy surrounding armed, masked federal agents operating in US cities.
Who Is Jesus Ochoa?
According to government documents reviewed by ProPublica, Jesus Ochoa, 43, joined Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2018 as a Border Patrol agent. He is originally from South Texas and holds a degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas–Pan American.
Ochoa, who reportedly goes by the name “Jesse,” had long aspired to work for the Border Patrol, according to family members. Records show he was one of two agents who discharged their firearms during the confrontation that led to Pretti’s death.
The Alex Pretti Shooting: What Happened in Minneapolis
The fatal shooting occurred on January 24, during Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale immigration enforcement initiative launched in December. The operation deployed armed, masked federal agents across Minneapolis, a move that has drawn intense criticism from civil rights groups and local officials.
Image Source: Department Of Veterans Affairs via Reuters
Video footage circulating online shows Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, filming federal agents as they confronted protesters in a popular arts and food district. During the encounter, agents used pepper spray, forced Pretti to the ground, and fired approximately 10 shots as bystanders screamed.
Authorities later confirmed Pretti was legally carrying a handgun, though video analysis suggests agents may have removed the weapon before shots were fired, a claim that contradicts initial official statements describing Pretti as an imminent threat.
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Raymundo Gutierrez Also Named in the Incident
Government records also identify Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, a CBP officer assigned to the agency’s Office of Field Operations, as the second agent involved. Gutierrez joined CBP in 2014 and serves on a special response team, tasked with high-risk operations similar to police SWAT units.
Both agents were placed on administrative leave following the shooting, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Federal Secrecy Sparks Public and Political Backlash
CBP initially refused to release the agents’ names, even to state investigators and members of Congress, citing security concerns. This lack of transparency has drawn bipartisan criticism, particularly after it emerged that the names were withheld despite internal reviews of body-camera footage.
Lawmakers from both parties have demanded a full and transparent investigation, with Republican Senator John Curtis stating that “no one, regardless of title, should be above accountability.”
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has since opened an investigation, though officials have not confirmed whether federal agencies are cooperating with state authorities.
Broader Debate Over Masked Immigration Agents
The killing of Pretti occurred just days after another immigration agent fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, also in Minneapolis. Together, the incidents have intensified scrutiny of federal agents being allowed to operate anonymously while masked, an uncommon practice in US law enforcement.
Civil rights advocates argue that anonymity undermines public trust and accountability. Former CBP commissioner Gil Kerlikowske warned that aggressive use-of-force tactics and rapid escalation, including pepper spray, may have contributed to unnecessary loss of life.
What Comes Next
Minnesota officials have accused federal agencies of blocking state-level investigations, while thousands of protesters have taken to the streets demanding justice for Pretti. The case has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and police accountability under President Donald Trump’s second term.
As investigations continue, the identification of Jesus Ochoa has intensified pressure on DHS, CBP, and the Justice Department to release evidence and clarify how federal agents are held accountable when lethal force is used.
FAQ
Who is Jesus Ochoa?
Jesus Ochoa is a US Border Patrol agent who joined Customs and Border Protection in 2018 and has been identified in federal records as one of the agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
What happened to Alex Pretti?
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot and killed by federal immigration agents during a confrontation in Minneapolis on January 24 while documenting enforcement activity.
Why is the shooting controversial?
The incident involved masked agents, conflicting official accounts, withheld identities, and video evidence that appears to contradict early government statements.
Is the Justice Department investigating the case?
Yes. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation into the shooting.
Was Alex Pretti armed?
Yes. Officials confirmed Pretti legally owned a handgun, though video analysis suggests agents may have seized it before shots were fired.
Why are immigration agents allowed to hide their identities?
Current federal policy allows certain agents to wear masks during operations, a practice critics say reduces accountability and public trust.
What is Operation Metro Surge?
Operation Metro Surge is a large-scale immigration enforcement operation launched in December, deploying armed agents across Minneapolis.