Judge Orders Evidence Preserved in Minnesota Shooting Case

Advanced | January 30, 2026

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The Minnesota shooting evidence order, explained

A federal judge in Minnesota issued an emergency order telling the federal government: don’t destroy or alter evidence tied to a deadly Minneapolis shooting. State and county investigators say federal officials blocked them from the scene, and they worried key evidence could disappear before any independent review could start. (AP)

What happened on January 24

Reports say Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, died after an encounter with federal immigration agents / Border Patrol in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. The incident unfolded in or near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, and it quickly turned into a flashpoint as Minnesota officials and federal agencies clashed over enforcement operations in the Twin Cities. (Court order, Axios)

The court steps in fast

Here’s the key point: the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office filed a federal lawsuit and asked for a temporary restraining order to lock down the evidence.

U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud granted the request late on January 24. He ordered federal agencies—and anyone working with them—not to destroy or alter evidence tied to the shooting. The order also covers evidence removed from the scene or held in the federal government’s exclusive custody. The judge then set a follow-up hearing for January 26 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Paul. (Court order, Epoch Times)

Why this is a bigger deal than one case

In most deadly use-of-force cases, state and local investigators follow a routine process to secure the scene, collect evidence, and share information. In this case, multiple reports say federal officials kept Minnesota investigators out, which pushed state officials to rush into court. Commentators called this type of federal–state breakdown unusual, and it has triggered bigger questions about transparency, oversight, and how far states can go when they investigate federal officers operating inside their borders. (AP, Axios)

What evidence are people worried about?

In plain business terms: evidence creates the “paper trail” (and video trail) that lets investigators verify what happened.

That can include body-camera footage, communications logs, reports, and physical evidence from the scene. Federal lawyers told the court they are preserving evidence, but state officials say they want stronger guarantees—especially if federal agencies won’t share the evidence quickly with state investigators. This tension sits at the heart of the Minnesota shooting evidence order. (Washington Post, MPR News)

What happens next

Next, the court will hold the hearing and decide what to do after that. The judge can let the restraining order expire, extend it, or replace it with a longer-term preservation order.

Either way, the Minnesota shooting evidence order has turned into a trust test—between agencies, between governments, and between citizens and the people who are supposed to protect them.

Vocabulary

Temporary restraining order (TRO) (noun) – a short-term court order meant to prevent harm while a case is reviewed.
- Example: “The judge issued a temporary restraining order to preserve evidence.”
Preserve (verb) – to protect something so it remains unchanged.
- Example: “Officials asked the court to preserve all evidence from the scene.”
Enjoined (verb) – legally ordered by a court to stop an action.
- Example: “The court enjoined federal agencies from altering evidence.”
Exclusive custody (noun) – control held only by one side, with no shared access.
- Example: “Federal agencies kept some evidence in exclusive custody.”
Jurisdiction (noun) – the authority to investigate or enforce laws in a place.
- Example: “The case raises questions about state jurisdiction over federal agents.”
Oversight (noun) – supervision to prevent abuse or mistakes.
- Example: “Independent oversight can protect public trust.”
Transparency (noun) – openness that allows others to see and verify actions.
- Example: “Transparency matters most when a case is controversial.”
Allegation (noun) – a claim that has not yet been proven.
- Example: “State officials made allegations about limited access to the scene.”
Impartial (adjective) – fair and not taking sides.
- Example: “The state called for an impartial investigation.”
Accountability (noun) – responsibility for actions and results.
- Example: “People want accountability when force is used.”

Discussion Questions

About the Article

Why did Minnesota officials ask for a court order to preserve evidence?
What specific details in the judge’s order stood out to you?
Why is evidence preservation important before an investigation is finished?
What could happen if evidence is controlled by only one side?
What do you think the judge will focus on at the January 26 hearing?

About the Topic

Should states have the right to investigate federal agents operating inside their borders? Why or why not?
What kinds of evidence do you think matter most in use-of-force cases?
How can governments build trust after a controversial incident?
What’s the difference between “transparency” and “oversight,” and why do both matter?
When emotions run high, what is the best way for leaders to communicate with the public?

Related Idiom or Phrase

“Trust, but verify” — be willing to believe someone, but still demand proof.

Example: “Officials said evidence was being preserved—but the court order reflects ‘trust, but verify.’”

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This article was inspired by: Epoch Times, AP, Axios, MPR News, and the Court order