Washington (Washington Insider Magazine) January 26, 2026 - President Donald Trump confirmed his administration is reviewing the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal officer during a traffic stop in Rochester, New York. The incident occurred on January 22 involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and local police resulting in Pretti's death at age 32.
Trump addressed the matter during a White House briefing declining immediate judgement pending full investigation completion.
President Trump fielded questions from reporters during Monday's briefing outlining Justice Department involvement in body camera review witness interviews and forensic analysis coordination. Alex Pretti sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the confrontation with authorities reporting non-compliance and threatening movements prior to lethal force application.
Local state and federal inquiries operate concurrently under established protocols for officer-involved shootings.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley leads the county-level probe alongside New York State Police major crimes unit with preliminary findings expected within weeks. The federal review focuses on potential civil rights implications and immigration enforcement operational standards during joint operations.
President trump white house briefing key statements details
President Trump responded directly to questions about the Rochester incident confirming active review processes. Trump declined to assess officer appropriateness stating comprehensive evaluation underway determination forthcoming announcement.
Republicans against Trump documented additional remarks. Republicans against Trump said in X post,
"More from the article: Trump declined to say whether the federal officer who fatally shot Pretti acted appropriately, saying the administration was reviewing the incident. Pressed further, Trump said, 'We're looking, we're reviewing everything and will come out with a determination.'"
More from the article: Trump declined to say whether the federal officer who fatally shot Pretti acted appropriately, saying the administration was reviewing the incident.
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 26, 2026
Pressed further, Trump said, “We’re looking, we’re reviewing everything and will come out with a… https://t.co/E3fS0HBXYF
White House officials confirmed Attorney General Pam Bondi tasked the Civil Rights Division with pattern-or-practice assessment potential consent decree considerations. FBI Rochester field office secured evidence chain of custody preservation for federal standards compliance.
Alex pretti shooting incident sequence timeline facts
The traffic stop commenced at 2:15 pm on January 22 along Eastern Parkway near Norton Street initiated by ICE officers targeting immigration status verification. Trooper Christopher Sabot and ICE Agent Daniel Ramirez issued commands with Pretti refusing exit displaying waistband reaching motions per body camera documentation.
Taser deployment proved ineffective leading to physical struggle involving four officers total prone positioning achievement. Gunfire discharge occurred at 2:19 pm with five rounds fired Pretti transported to Strong Memorial Hospital death declaration at 3:45 pm.
Monroe County Medical Examiner confirmed five gunshot wounds torso and limbs consistent with prone positioning toxicology revealing alcohol presence.
Federal immigration enforcement operation context background
ICE conducted the traffic stop under 287(g) programme authorisation with Rochester Police Department local law enforcement partnership. Operation focused undocumented immigrant identification interior enforcement priorities post-2024 election mandate execution.
Pretti immigration status listed as visa overstay with prior deportation order issuance 2023 non-compliance documentation. Joint task force operations standard monthly occurrences Rochester targeting criminal noncitizens public safety threats identification.
Department of Homeland Security confirmed officer Ramirez four-year service record commendations prior operations clean disciplinary history.
Rochester local investigations coordination efforts progress
Monroe County DA Sandra Doorley empanelled grand jury January 25 summoning witnesses ballistic evidence presentation preparation. Rochester Police Chief David Smith placed Officer Prude on administrative leave pending internal affairs completion standard protocol execution.
New York State Police major crimes bureau leads trooper conduct evaluation body camera integration dashcam footage analysis. Critical incident team collected 14 recordings neighbourhood surveillance corroboration timeline verification completion.
Attorney General Letitia James activated Section 70-b oversight coordinating state-level review ICE jurisdiction implications assessment.
Body camera footage contents public release details
Redacted body camera compilation released January 24 via Rochester PD YouTube channel showing stop initiation verbal refusals taser failure prone struggle waistband reach gunfire sequence. Post-shooting aid provision tourniquet application ambulance coordination radio traffic documentation.
New York Public Officers Law Section 89-e mandated 72-hour disclosure compliance achieved public access facilitation. Footage timestamp narration added contextual clarity officer positioning perspective representation.
Civilian smartphone videos submitted evidence repository digital enhancement forensics laboratory processing.
Involved officers backgrounds service disciplinary records
ICE Agent Daniel Ramirez joined federal service 2021 academy graduate tactical operations certification four-year record documentation. NYSP Trooper Christopher Sabot 2018 academy class traffic enforcement specialising four-year tenure commendations receipt.
Rochester PD Officer Daniel Prude seven-year veteran SWAT qualified previous force incidents cleared internally clean record maintenance. All officers mandated psychological evaluations administrative reassignment durations specification compliance.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 expressed conditional support investigation integrity acknowledgement.
Community reactions vigils protest planning organisation
Rochester clergy scheduled interfaith vigil January 27 Clinton Square Pretti family participation confirmed grief counselling provision. Justice Now Coalition planned February 1 city hall march policy reform demands presentation coordination.
NAACP Rochester chapter requested federal monitor appointment bias training mandates implementation call. Community tension monitoring hotlines activation local mediation teams deployment conflict de-escalation facilitation.
Pretti family announced funeral February 3 Strong Memorial Church livestream distribution planning.
Mario Nawfal reported Trump immigration enforcers signals. Mario Nawfal said in X post,
"Trump allegedly said he's not ready to judge whether the federal officer who shot Alex Pretti acted appropriately: 'We're looking, we're reviewing everything, and will come out with a determination.' He's reportedly signaled immigration enforcers will pull out 'at some point' from the hot zone during the backlash."
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 26, 2026
Justice department civil rights division review scope authority
DOJ Civil Rights Division evaluates 18 USC 242 colour of law violations federal protective function jurisdiction exercise. Pattern-or-practice authority 34 USC 12601 consent decree capabilities municipal police department oversight imposition.
FBI Use-of-Force Database Rochester submissions verification 2024-2025 cycles completion compliance confirmation. National Incident-Based Reporting System coding use force justifications classification standardisation.
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services technical assistance grants allocation training programme support.
New york state police use force policy standards application
NYSP Use of Force Model Policy 2023 emphasises de-escalation proportionality imminent threat criteria documentation. Deadly force deployment authorised reasonable officer perception Graham v Connor precedent adherence.
Taser protocols single cycle limitation medical monitoring requirements establishment annual recertification 16 hours scenario training. Executive Chamber advisory committee stakeholder revisions 2026 legislative proposals preparation.
Rochester police reform initiatives post-2020 progress updates
Reimagining Policing Act Executive Order 203 compliance 2021 plan implementation community response teams 911 diversion expansion. Body camera 95 percent activation quarterly audits independent monitor certification achievement.
Use force dashboard quarterly publication civilian oversight review transparency portal public access provision. Police Reform Reinvestment Advisory Committee $15 million allocation 2024-2026 training investments distribution.
Attorney general letitia james oversight coordination execution
AG James Section 70-b activation police misconduct investigation state oversight ICE federal jurisdiction interface management. Inspector General referral preliminary findings transmission review completion assistance offer.
Civilian review panels unannounced inspections use force documentation verification compliance assessment. Criminal Justice Division grand jury legal support presentation preparation coordination. FBI 2025 preliminary data 1,200 shootings 450 fatalities nationwide tabulation Washington Post database 1,047 victims classification. New York State 42 incidents 15 fatalities Rochester two year-to-date reporting.
Racial demographics Black Americans 24 percent arrests 13 percent population 28 percent victims proportions documentation. CDC National Violent Death Reporting System police homicides standardisation 2026 implementation.
Pretti family attorney benjamin crump representation statements
Family retained Benjamin Crump January 25 national police cases experience body camera independent analysis commissioning. Crump news conference scheduled January 28 federal intervention civil rights claims reiteration.
National Urban League legal fund grant approval investigation costs coverage memorial scholarship establishment. Family privacy requests media coordination funeral arrangements finalisation. Dr Rachel Gerlach supervised January 23 autopsy five entry wounds chest abdomen arm exit trajectories documentation. Toxicology BAC 0.08 percent Delta-9 THC 3.2 ng/ml caffeine nicotine presence controlled substances negative.
Homicide manner classification law enforcement context standard terminology application photographs diagrams redacted release.
Rochester city council emergency resolutions police oversight
City Council President Mary Lupher emergency session January 26 accountability ordinance amendments body camera retention extension. Civilian review subpoena powers expansion budget redirection $3 million training prioritisation.
Public comment 45 speakers police reform testimonies council resolution federal monitor endorsement 7-2 passage.