Metro Surge shootings: Feds again halt key evidence to Minnesota investigators
The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security have again paused cooperation with Minnesota's investigation into three Operation Metro Surge shootings, state officials say.[1]
Federal authorities still have not provided the gun used to kill Alex Pretti, the involved agents' cellphones, or the agents' recorded statements, leaving investigators without key physical and digital evidence.[1] Court affidavits from Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and BCA Superintendent Drew Evans say state investigators did receive Renee Good's vehicle, the gun that killed her, and body-worn camera video from all three shootings.[1] Moriarty says U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen told her the current halt in information-sharing resulted from unspecified "challenges with D.C.".[1]
Operation Metro Surge produced the three shootings under investigation, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and federal officials briefly shared some material with Minnesota investigators this summer before cooperation was paused again.[1] The Justice Department has also filed a misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges after a New York Times article quoted their public criticism of Metro Surge, which DOJ says shows bias on immigration matters.[2] The complaint quotes Judge Patrick Schiltz calling the situation a "grave threat to the rule of law" and Judge Paul Magnuson Tunheim saying agents "weren't arresting... dangerous criminals on the street," and it seeks their recusal from DHS-related cases.[2]
The renewed federal pause leaves state investigators without several key items as they decide whether to pursue charges, and it risks further straining cooperation between federal and local authorities.
Show source details & analysis (3 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security have again paused cooperation with Minnesota’s investigation into three Operation Metro Surge shootings after a brief period of sharing evidence this summer, according to FOX 9’s reporting (DOJ and DHS).
- Federal authorities still have not provided the gun used to kill Alex Pretti, the involved agents’ cellphones, or the agents’ recorded statements to Minnesota investigators (Alex Pretti).
- Court affidavits from Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and BCA Superintendent Drew Evans state that state investigators did receive Renee Good’s vehicle, the gun that killed her, and body-worn camera video from all three shootings (Court affidavits).
- Moriarty says U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen told her the current halt in information-sharing is due to unspecified “challenges with D.C.” (U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen).
- The same federal operation that resulted in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti has prompted the DOJ to file a misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges who publicly criticized Metro Surge and its impact on the courts (DOJ misconduct complaint).
- A New York Times article that helped trigger the complaint quoted Judge Patrick Schiltz calling the Minnesota situation a “grave threat to the rule of law” and Judge Paul Magnuson Tunheim saying agents “weren't arresting... dangerous criminals on the street” (New York Times article).
- DOJ’s complaint asserts those public comments show bias on immigration matters and argues they are grounds for mandatory recusal from DHS-related cases (DOJ’s complaint).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- DOJ and DHS have again paused cooperation with Minnesota’s investigation into three Operation Metro Surge shootings after a brief period of sharing evidence this summer.
- Federal authorities still have not provided the gun used to kill Alex Pretti, the involved agents’ cellphones, or the agents’ recorded statements.
- Court affidavits from Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and BCA Superintendent Drew Evans confirm that state investigators did receive Renee Good’s vehicle, the gun that killed her, and body camera video from all three shootings.
- Moriarty says U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen attributed the current halt in information-sharing to unspecified “challenges with D.C.”
- The same federal operation that killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti has now triggered a DOJ misconduct complaint against Minnesota federal judges who publicly condemned Metro Surge and its impact on the courts.
- The New York Times article that spurred the complaint quoted Judge Schiltz calling the Minnesota situation a 'grave threat to the rule of law' and Judge Tunheim saying agents 'weren't arresting... dangerous criminals on the street.'
- DOJ’s complaint claims these statements show bias on immigration matters and are grounds for mandatory recusal from DHS-related cases.