Post Reports – “After Alex Preddy's Killing, a Battle of Narratives”
Episode Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Martine Powers
Guest: Kim Bellware

Overview

This episode investigates the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy, an ICU nurse and legal gun owner, by Border Patrol agents during a DHS operation in Minneapolis. The episode unpacks the clashing narratives from the federal government, local authorities, and Minneapolis residents, and explores how Preddy’s death has ignited urgent debates over immigration enforcement, government transparency, and America’s gun rights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Happened During the Shooting?

[02:15–06:48]

• Video Evidence vs. Official Account:
  Kim Bellware describes how video footage from bystanders shows Preddy was filming agents with his phone, appeared unarmed with hands visible, and was moved back to the sidewalk by agents. Events rapidly escalate when Preddy intervenes as another person is pushed down; agents attempt to restrain him, and one agent removes a gun from Preddy’s waistband. Moments after this, Preddy is shot by another agent, even though he had already been disarmed.

  • Notable quote:
    “There is this moment where one of these border patrol agents removes the gun from Preddy's body and, and it is after that moment that another agent shoots him.” – Martine Powers [06:17]

• Lack of Clarity:
  The videos do not capture all audio, nor do they clearly show which agent fired the fatal shot. It remains uncertain what specific actions were interpreted as threatening by the officers.

2. Who Was Alex Preddy?

[07:37–10:09]

• Preddy was a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the VA hospital, a US citizen, and had no criminal record. He was a legal gun owner with a permit to carry.
• His participation: He was present as spontaneous protests and neighborhood reactions to ongoing DHS immigration enforcement evolved, not necessarily as part of a formal protest or with any pre-planned intent to use his weapon.
  • Quote explaining context:
    “These are not clear cut scenarios…sometimes it’s just people living there who are reacting. You could call it protesting because they’re protesting what’s going on.” – Kim Bellware [09:22]

3. Government and Official Response

[10:09–12:16]

• Federal officials, including President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, immediately branded Preddy as a criminal and terrorist, citing his possession of a weapon at the protest.

  • “This individual who came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation…committed an act of domestic terrorism. That's the facts.” – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem [10:55]

• Internal Investigation Concerns:
  There is ongoing conflict over who investigates the shooting:

  • DHS pushed local law enforcement off the scene, prompting the Minnesota Attorney General to seek a restraining order to preserve evidence.
  • Echoes of previous shootings, such as one in Chicago, where federal and local investigations were not fully transparent or cooperative.

4. Community Reaction in Minneapolis

[14:24–17:38]

• Widespread distrust and anger toward the federal government, amplified by recent events and the proliferation of video evidence contradicting official statements.

• Notable public actions, including a general strike across Minnesota and mass protests, even in bitter winter conditions.

  • “We don’t know what to believe anymore. And so we're not gonna. We're out here to witness right what's happening and stand up for our community.” – David Ponder, protester [16:26]

• Bellware observes that this distrust is not strictly along partisan lines: even some who previously supported federal immigration operations are now questioning the official narrative and calling for transparency.

5. The Gun Rights Debate Complicated

[20:06–27:42]

• Preddy’s status as a legal gun owner complicates the typical partisan divide over Second Amendment rights.

• Many conservative lawmakers and commentators, who typically defend gun rights, are leveraging Preddy’s possession of a gun as justification for federal use of deadly force. In contrast, some point to the hypocrisy compared to previous cases (e.g., Kyle Rittenhouse, Philando Castile).

  • "Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence. It's a constitutionally protected, God given right. And if you don't understand this, you have no business in law enforcement or government." – Rep. Thomas Massie [26:55]

• The NRA initially echoed the administration’s tough stance but later pushed back, calling for responsible voices to await a full investigation before generalizing about gun owners.

• High-profile Republican lawmakers, like Rep. Massie and Sen. Cassidy, voice unease—demanding a joint investigation and warning against equating lawful gun carrying with criminality.

6. Political Repercussions & Future Outlook

[27:42–32:34]

• Potential pressure on President Trump from within his own coalition, especially as deaths of US citizens during aggressive immigration operations mount.
• Local law enforcement (Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association) requests direct discussions with Trump, seeking moderation and clearer policies.
• Comparisons to other cities (e.g., Chicago) where judicial restrictions on federal agent use of force tamped down tense operations, but the future in Minneapolis is uncertain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the trauma and abnormality of federal enforcement:
  “It’s the same sort of sentiment that you'd encounter in cities or communities that have been affected by natural disasters. But in this case, the disaster is the federal government attacking us.” – Ben Porter [01:14]

• On transparency and trust:
  “People want clarity, they want transparency, and they definitely want accountability.” – Kim Bellware [17:35]

• On the civil unrest echoing George Floyd protests:
  “It’s even, you know, bringing back some echoes of the anger and the frustration that people felt in Minneapolis after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in 2020.” – Kim Bellware [17:20]

• On Republican fissures over gun rights:
  “Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence. It's a constitutionally protected, God given right.” – Rep. Thomas Massie [26:55]

Key Timestamps for Segments

• [02:15] – Description of video evidence of the shooting
• [06:17] – Confirmation Preddy was disarmed before being shot
• [07:41] – Profile of Alex Preddy
• [10:09] – Immediate official government statements and narrative
• [12:16] – Details on the evolving (and contested) investigation
• [14:24] – Community reaction, protests, and general strike
• [20:06] – Impact of Preddy’s gun ownership on the gun rights debate
• [26:23] – Statements from Republican lawmakers dissenting from the administration’s line
• [31:01] – Speculation about possible changes or moderation in federal operations

Conclusion

The episode lays bare the urgent, interlocking crises stemming from Alex Preddy’s killing: a clashing of narratives between government and community; deep public mistrust in both law enforcement and federal authority; and an emerging fissure within the gun rights movement over who is allowed to claim Second Amendment protections. The Post Reports team, through reporting and on-the-ground voices, captures a city (and a nation) at a complex flashpoint—raising critical questions about justice, accountability, and the boundaries of government power.