Dear Reader,
For more than a week, a veil of secrecy surrounded the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The government withheld the names of the two federal agents involved — not just from the public, but from Congress and state investigators as well.
Yesterday, ProPublica reporter J. David McSwane identified the agents by reviewing government records. As our editors explained in a note accompanying the story: “We believe there are few investigations that deserve more sunlight and public scrutiny than this one. … The policy of shielding officers’ identities, particularly after a public shooting, is a stark departure from standard law enforcement protocols, according to lawmakers, state attorneys general and former federal officials. Such secrecy, in our view, deprives the public of the most fundamental tool for accountability.”
We’re sharing this because bringing crucial facts and context to light is central to our work. We hope you’ll take a moment to read the full story.
This investigation is part of our long-term commitment to covering immigration enforcement and the use of force across the country. Our visual journalists Cengiz Yar and Peter DiCampo were on the ground in Minneapolis, documenting the reality of the protests and the community’s response.
And our reporters have been uncovering systemic issues that often go unnoticed:
— Nicole Foy and McKenzie Funk recently uncovered over 40 cases of immigration agents using banned chokeholds. Their reporting found no evidence of punishment for the officers involved despite a federal ban.
— In a new documentary video, Gerardo del Valle examines the reality of the current mass deportation campaign and how it has fundamentally changed the lives of citizens and immigrants across the U.S.
Investigative journalism isn’t just about recording what happened; it’s about uncovering what someone wants to keep hidden. This work is only possible because of our readers.
Thank you for reading and supporting investigative journalism,
Robin Sparkman
President, ProPublica
