The Daily — "10 Shots: Federal Agents Kill Another Person in Minnesota"

Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Rachel Abrams, Ernesto Londono
Guests/Reporters: Devin Lum (Visual Investigations), Rachel Abrams (reporting), with mentions of Charles Homans and Dan Barry

Episode Overview

This episode examines the shooting death of Alex Preddy by federal Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis—the second fatal encounter between federal authorities and local protesters in under a month. Through eyewitness video, expert analysis, and on-the-ground reporting, the episode unpacks the government’s conflicting narratives, explores the incident’s rapid escalation, and discusses the broader political and social ramifications for Minnesota and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Event Background & Competing Narratives

• A Border Patrol shooting in Minneapolis on Saturday claimed the life of Alex Preddy. This is the second such death during the federal crackdown on immigration in the city since the operation began late last month (00:43, 01:32).
• Federal Narrative: Homeland Security asserts Preddy was armed, approached agents, and posed an immediate threat (“an act of domestic terrorism”) (01:38).
• Eyewitness/Video Evidence: Disputes federal claims, showing Preddy with a cell phone in hand rather than a gun during the crucial moments of interaction (02:49–04:06, 04:12–06:37).

2. Incident Breakdown: What the Video Shows

Devin Lum (Visual Investigations):

• Analysis of multiple camera angles revealed Preddy never had a gun in his hand—he held a cell phone and attempted to direct traffic peacefully (03:19–04:06).
• Escalation occurred as federal agents pushed a female protester to the ground, prompting Preddy to intervene (05:08–05:10).
• Agents pepper sprayed Preddy, tackled, and restrained him. At no point, as seen in the footage, did he reach for a weapon (05:10–06:37).
• Shouts of "he's got a gun" came only after Preddy was taken to the ground. An agent recovered a holstered weapon from Preddy's waist just before shots were fired (06:32–07:09).
• Critical moment: The first shot was fired “about one second” after the gun was removed from Preddy’s hip (07:09–07:34).
• After the initial shot, agents fired nine more shots at Preddy, who appeared motionless and unarmed on the ground (07:34–08:28).

Memorable Quote:

Devin Lum, on the discrepancy in official accounts
“The one thing that's blatantly clear... is that Preddy was not holding a gun when he began interacting with the federal agents or throughout the entirety of their interaction. Instead, he's holding a cell phone.” (03:19)

3. Aftermath: Local Community and Political Blowback

• Mood in Minneapolis: Shock, escalating fear, and a sense of unsustainability in the federal crackdown’s violence (14:03–14:54).

• Both shooting victims (Renee Goode and Alex Preddy) were local community members with no records of violence—Preddy was a VA nurse and a federal employee (14:58–15:46).

• Dispute Over Federal Actions: The state challenged federal claims about their target (an Ecuadorian immigrant with supposed violent history), finding only minor traffic citations (15:55–16:52).

• Breakdown of Accountability:

  • Traditionally, federal and state officials jointly investigate such shootings; now, federal authorities are blocking local agencies from evidence or even identifying involved agents (17:11–20:21).
  • Hennepin County prosecutor set up a public portal for citizen-submitted evidence, an “understatement of the decade” in terms of procedural abnormality (19:37).

• Federal Rhetoric: Officials like Kash Patel and Kristi Noem characterized protesters as “domestic terrorists.” Contrarily, local officials urge restraint and question DHS’s narrative (20:21–21:51).

Memorable Quote:

Rachel Abrams, on the investigation:
“At the outset, local and state officials who ran to the scene to try to preserve and examine evidence were physically blocked from getting there. And as of this moment, they don't even know the identity of the federal agents who opened fire.” (19:35)

4. State and National Political Fallout

• State officials, including Governor Walz and mayors, are suing to halt the federal operation and have deployed the National Guard amid fears of “the city blowing up... the way we saw in the wake of George Floyd's killing in 2020” (23:08–23:37).

• Minnesota federal lawmakers are reportedly exploring withholding DHS funding as leverage—though Republican control makes this unlikely (23:47–24:31).

• Shifting National Sentiment:

  • Public polling reflects a divide: a majority supports the administration’s immigration goals, yet many are now wary of ICE tactics; prominent figures on both sides, including Joe Rogan and Maria Bartiromo, are publicly questioning the crackdown (24:31–25:21).

Memorable Quote:

Rachel Abrams:
“There are people for whom these actions are not justified but welcome. There are many people who have written to me... to say these people in Minneapolis... had it coming. They shouldn't have been interfering with the work of immigration agents. And let this be a lesson to other people who would want to challenge what they're doing.” (25:21)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On video evidence contradicting DHS:

  • Devin Lum: “Preddy was not holding a gun when he began interacting with the federal agents or throughout the entirety of their interaction. Instead, he's holding a cell phone.” (03:19)

• On the escalation:

  • Devin Lum: "Once they get there, the agent pushes one of the protesters to the ground, and Alex Preddy steps in between the agent and the woman... then Alex Preddy turns around to... help the woman who's been pushed to the ground...” (05:10)

• On the use of force:

  • Devin Lum: “Preddy was very clearly subdued on the ground. He was being held down, and his arms were by his head... So he presented no clear threat to the agents at that point.” (09:31)

• On investigatory barriers:

  • Rachel Abrams: “...local and state officials who ran to the scene... were physically blocked from getting there. And as of this moment, they don't even know the identity of the federal agents who opened fire.” (19:35)

• On the narrative split and public reaction:

  • Rachel Abrams: “I think the videos in this case are singularly horrifying... we remain a deeply divided country on the question of immigration and on the merits of a really draconian response.” (25:21)

Key Timestamps

• [02:49–08:42] — Breakdown of the shooting via video evidence (Devin Lum).
• [14:03–15:46] — Community reaction and background on Alex Preddy.
• [15:55–16:52] — Dispute over the target of the federal operation.
• [16:52–20:21] — Unusual federal investigative maneuvers and state officials’ response.
• [23:08–25:21] — Political fallout: lawsuits, National Guard activation, public opinion, and the possibility of a tipping point.
• [25:21–27:19] — Discussion about the broader implications for the national conversation on immigration enforcement and the potential shifting of moderate opinions.

Tone and Language

The episode is urgent, meticulous, and at times somber—reflecting both journalistic rigor and the gravity of events. Hosts and reporters maintain a fact-driven, evidence-based approach but allow moments of shock and exasperation to register—especially when institutional process or lives are at stake.

Takeaways

• Visual evidence directly contradicts DHS’s initial narrative, revealing a far more complex—and damning—sequence of events.
• Federal-state cooperation has broken down, increasing fears of a cover-up and further fueling local anguish and national polarization.
• With rising casualty counts and video evidence spreading, public and political tolerance for the administration’s tactics appears to be fracturing—even among some previous supporters.

This detailed breakdown captures nearly all major episode themes, narrative developments, and outstanding moments for listeners seeking a deep and nuanced understanding.