ProPublica has identified the two agents involved in the Alex Pretti shooting as Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez, whose multi‑year tenures undercut claims they were recent recruits from the Proud Boys. The author critiques a reflexive framing that labels all immigration enforcement actions as white‑supremacist in motive, while stressing that an independent investigation into the shooting is warranted. Senator Rand Paul has called for agency testimony and scrutiny of additional funding allocated by the administration.
ProPublica Confirms Names Of Agents Who Killed Alex Pretti — Why That Undercuts One Familiar Narrative
Opinion - Alex Pretti shooters named and revealed
ProPublica has confirmed the identities of the two immigration-enforcement agents who shot and killed Alex Pretti, a development that challenges a widely circulated narrative about recent personnel changes at Border enforcement agencies.
Progressive commentator Tiffany Cross suggested on CNN that a surge in aggressive ICE activity stemmed in part from Proud Boys members joining the agency. That claim — repeated in some corners of cable commentary — fueled a broader left‑of‑center narrative that current immigration enforcement is driven largely by white‑nationalist influence.
No responsible observer wants extremist militia members in law enforcement. The Proud Boys are a fringe, conspiratorial movement tied to white‑nationalist currents, and their presence in any public institution would be cause for concern. But the facts in this case complicate the simpler version of the story.
The agents identified by ProPublica are Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez. Ochoa has been with Border Patrol since 2018, and Gutierrez since 2014 — timelines that do not fit the claim that they were recent recruits from a far‑right militia joining in response to the current administration.
I criticize the reflexive tendency to ascribe racist motives to every enforcement action; such a frame can oversimplify complex situations. At the same time, skepticism about institutional bias is legitimate and should be informed by evidence, not assumptions. Law enforcement agencies include many officers of color, and Hispanic public opinion on immigration often mirrors the broader public rather than reflecting a single viewpoint.
Investigation and Accountability
Regardless of partisan narratives, this shooting merits an independent investigation. It is wrong to pre‑judge the incident as justified or unjustified on the basis of labels alone — including rushed claims that Alex Pretti was a "domestic terrorist" used to justify the killing. An impartial probe should determine the facts and whether use of force complied with legal and policy standards.
Senator Rand Paul has called for an independent inquiry and requested testimony from top immigration‑enforcement officials about tactics and use of force. He has also voiced skepticism about additional funding for ICE at this time. Given that the administration’s so‑called "One Big Beautiful Bill" directed billions in new federal spending, the public has a right to know how those funds are being used and whether agencies are protecting civil liberties while enforcing the law.
Robby Soave is co‑host of The Hill’s commentary show "Rising" and a senior editor at Reason Magazine. This column is an edited transcription of his daily commentary.
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