Podcast Summary: Murder Sheet – The Killing of Alex Preddy

Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Áine Cain (journalist), Kevin Greenlee (attorney)
Main Theme:
An in-depth, journalistic examination of the January 24, 2026 fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Preddy by U.S. Border Patrol agents. The hosts analyze official narratives around the shooting, review all available bystander video footage, and scrutinize the communication and credibility of investigating authorities—eschewing political debate to focus strictly on the available facts and actions taken.

Episode Overview

Áine and Kevin devote the episode to unpacking the killing of Alex Preddy, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and Minneapolis resident, shot by federal agents during an attempted arrest related to an immigration enforcement operation. The case quickly became politically charged, leading to rapid and accusatory statements from federal leadership. The hosts emphasize their intention to remain nonpartisan and focus on what verifiable evidence—particularly video footage—shows, separating fact from official spin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Case Context

• Alex Preddy: Resident of Minneapolis, graduate of the University of Minnesota, ICU nurse for the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
• Date/Location: Shot on January 24, 2026, around 26th Street and Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis.
• Incident: Rapidly labeled a justified use of force by officials, alleging Preddy was heavily armed and posed imminent danger to law enforcement.

Áine [02:29]: “We don’t think that you log in...to hear our political takes...We’ll keep it as free from our own political opinions as possible...there’s reality and there’s what you can see.”

2. Official Statements vs. Investigation

Rapid Public Accusations

• Secretary Kristi Noem: Claimed Preddy “brandished a weapon” and was “there to perpetuate violence.”
• Greg Bevino (Border Patrol Commander): Asserted Preddy “intended to massacre law enforcement,” didn’t follow orders, and “violently resisted.”
• Stephen Miller (White House): Labeled Preddy a “would-be assassin” and “domestic terrorist”; statement retweeted by Vice President J.D. Vance.

Kevin [06:21]: “She very clearly...was basically saying this killing was justified because he was brandishing a weapon...threatening agents.”

Áine [12:04]: “Those are pretty serious [words]. He [Miller] claimed that he tried to murder these federal agents.”

Skepticism About Official Narrative

• The hosts note that these strong statements came before any meaningful investigation or review of evidence.
• Emphasize the presence of bystander videos, uncommon in many law enforcement shootings, offering public transparency and an objective means to verify official claims.

Kevin [11:24]: “Because...people actually made videos...that really gives us a unique opportunity to evaluate the credibility and worth of these statements.”

3. What the Videos Show (and Don’t Show)

Áine conducts an exhaustive, minute-by-minute review of multiple bystander video clips, which contradict elements of the official account.

A. Initial Interaction & Escalation

• Preddy appears calm, standing still, filming or with his hands visible.
• No evidence Preddy was violent, brandished, or even reached for a firearm; agents’ initial demand appears to be for him to “back up.”

Áine [23:15]:

• Kevin: “Did you see Mr. Preddy act violent or threatening?”
• Áine: “No.”
• Kevin: “Did you see Mr. Preddy brandish a gun?”
• Áine: “No.”

B. Escalation by Agents

• A woman is shoved by agents into Preddy; he briefly helps her up.
• Preddy and others are pepper sprayed; chaos increases as more agents pile on.
• Áine sees agents beating Preddy with a spray canister. No evident threat from Preddy.
• Preddy appears to be trying to shield himself or help others rather than fight law enforcement.

Áine [30:09]: “I really tried to keep an eye on his hands and his...waistband...I didn’t see that [any gun grabbing or brandishing].”

C. The Shooting

• At least two agents fire 9–10 shots while Preddy is being held by several officers, after he’d been disarmed.
• The agent who first shot seems not to have observed that Preddy’s gun had just been taken by another agent.
• Chaotic, disorganized conduct among agents, lack of clear commands, and repeated escalation observed.
• At no point does Áine observe on video anything matching government claims about Preddy initiating violence, actively targeting law enforcement, or attempting to “massacre” or “assassinate” officers.

Áine [34:03]: “His hands to me, appeared to be almost pinned closer to his head. So I don’t feel like he had an opportunity...there’s nothing he can do now. He’s totally helpless…”

D. Aftermath & Crowd Response

• Calls of “murderer!” directed at the agents.
• Emergency service personnel attempt resuscitation.
• Law enforcement agents display confusion about the whereabouts of Preddy’s gun, suggesting communication breakdown.

E. Concealed Carry Context

• Preddy was a licensed concealed-carry permit holder, did not have his ID on him (a minor infraction by city ordinance).
• Hosts point out that neither concealed carry, nor failure to present a permit on demand, “is punishable by death.”

Kevin [17:30]: “So I don’t think it is appropriate to penalize someone or suggest someone was wrong if they were doing something...within the law.”

Áine [18:43]: “It’s not like...basically not punishable by death, I guess, is what is ultimately important to me...none of that actually has any real bearing on what happened in this situation.”

4. Host Analysis & Credibility Crisis

• The hosts are explicit: the available video does not show Preddy acting violently, resisting beyond possibly reflexive motion after pepper spray and physical force, brandishing a weapon, or threatening law enforcement.
• The immediate, incendiary public statements, absent investigation or review of evidence, undermine faith in investigative integrity.
• Hosts express skepticism that any further official findings can now be trusted, given the damage to credibility.

Kevin [45:17]: “I’m shocked and horrified by the death of this man...and by the fact that when we look at the words of these officials, they’re describing things that, frankly, did not happen...it’s very difficult for me to then have faith they’re going to go out on an unbiased search for the truth.”

Áine [47:17]: “The goal should be to figure out was this a justified shooting or not, and not to try to label someone a domestic terrorist without evidence. I just...I think that’s appalling. I think that’s an abuse of power.”

They contrast this with typical, more procedural law enforcement statements after shootings—dry and factual, not prescriptive or prejudicial.

5. Law Enforcement, Use of Force, and Escalation

• Both hosts stress they have often supported police in controversial use-of-force cases and are not “anti-cop”—but professional standards require restraint, clarity, and training.
• Here, they see repeated, unprofessional escalation by law enforcement, creating unnecessary chaos, confusion, and fatal violence, rather than de-escalating or retaining control.

Áine [54:16]: “Part of the social contract...is that law enforcement is trained and competent and not escalating things needlessly...So part of it is trusting law enforcement to be professionals. And...some people are not professionals within law enforcement. Many are, though...But in this case...escalate the situation needlessly, make it more chaotic than it had to be.”

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Credibility of Investigation:

  Kevin [47:17]: “If an investigation led by these people produces that piece of the puzzle, I’m not going to believe it because they’ve destroyed all credibility with me.”

• On Political Rhetoric:

  Áine [47:17]: “…the impulse by leadership is to smear the man who was shot immediately without apparently reviewing any of the available footage...I think that’s appalling. I think that’s an abuse of power.”

• On the Duty to Document and Analyze:

  Áine [15:41]: “…body camera footage often actually indicates, you know, tends to back up what law enforcement claims in some of these instances… but for this situation, it’s… crucial… law enforcement is trained and competent and not escalating things needlessly.”

• On the Right to Protest and Concealed Carry:

  Kevin [24:44]: “Just as you have a second amendment right...you have a first amendment right...to protest.”
  Áine [18:43]: “You don’t get executed for...not having your ID on you. That’s not a death penalty offense.”

• On the Danger of Hasty Official Narratives:

  Áine [51:26]: “Who knows what we would all be thinking about this case if that video footage wasn’t available.”

• On Democratic Values:

  Áine [47:17]: “…just stay at home, and then law enforcement won’t kill you. That’s not a democracy, okay?...If someone is obstructing justice...the remedy...is arrest...and charge them...What I saw here...law enforcement escalate things incredibly quickly.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Background on Preddy & Shooting: 00:59–05:22
• Rapid Official Statements: 05:56–12:26
• Credibility of Claims & Law Enforcement SOP: 13:41–15:41
• Rights Context & Preddy’s Concealed Carry: 17:18–18:43
• Analysis of Video Footage – Initial Interactions: 19:03–23:28
• Video Footage – Escalation & Shooting: 25:11–45:17
• Credibility Crisis/Host Reflections: 45:17–56:09
• Closing Statements: 56:09–58:11

Summary Takeaway

The hosts deliver a meticulous, clear-eyed recounting of a highly controversial shooting, driven by primary-source video evidence and a methodical, nonpartisan approach. The episode powerfully challenges the credibility of the official narrative, highlights the dangers of premature, politicized leadership statements, and raises serious questions about the culture and training of federal agents. The central, chilling insight: but for the public availability of video evidence, the real story would likely be buried under rhetoric and presumption, with catastrophic consequences for public trust and justice.