1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing as a Pennsylvania constituent to follow up on my prior correspondence regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis. I appreciate that you and other members of Congress have publicly called for investigation and accountability in this case. I was also contacted directly by Representative Houlahan’s office and informed that she supports the oversight actions I requested. At this stage, however, the focus must shift from statements of concern to concrete steps that ensure transparency and preserve public trust. A central unresolved issue is the handling of evidence. Multiple reports indicate that body-worn camera footage from several agents exists and is under review. It has also been widely reported that Mr. Pretti was recording events on his phone at the time of the shooting, and that his phone was taken into government custody. To date, there has been no public accounting of the status of that device, its contents, or when and how any footage will be made available to independent investigators or congressional oversight bodies. When a civilian is killed by federal personnel, evidence preservation and disclosure are not optional. Delays, silence, or exclusive reliance on internal agency review invite mistrust and speculation, especially when video evidence is known to exist. Congress has both the authority and the obligation to ensure that such evidence is secured, reviewed independently, and disclosed in a timely and responsible manner. I am asking for specific follow-through. Will you support subpoenas or other compulsory measures to obtain all body-worn camera footage, radio communications, after-action reports, and Mr. Pretti’s phone recordings related to this incident? Will you support public hearings to examine not only the use of force, but also the handling and disclosure of evidence? And will you press for an investigation conducted outside Department of Homeland Security control so that the findings are credible and transparent? The first letter asked for accountability. This follow-up asks for proof that accountability is being pursued. I urge you to act promptly to ensure that evidence is preserved, reviewed independently, and disclosed so that public confidence can be restored.