An autopsy has ruled that Alex Pretti’s death was a homicide after he was shot by Border Patrol agents while protesting in Minneapolis on Jan. 24

Alex Pretti’s death has been officially classified as a homicide (Image: AP)

Alex Pretti’s death has been officially classified as a homicide, according to the Hennepin County medical examiner.

A post-mortem examination revealed the 37 year old perished after suffering “multiple gunshot wounds” when he was shot whilst demonstrating in Minneapolis . The incident on 24th January triggered fresh waves of protests in the twin cities, which have been shaken by an overwhelming presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Pretti was restrained on the ground by several Border Patrol agents, disarmed and subsequently shot multiple times. The Department of Homeland Security has largely justified the shooting, alleging the 37 year old ICU nurse intended to “massacre” federal officials with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun he legally carried at the time.

Multiple videos swiftly contradicted that assertion, demonstrating that Pretti did not “wave his gun” in front of BP agents moments before his death as DHS chief Kristi Noem had alleged.

The damning post-mortem examination may alter the course of the Justice Department’s investigation into the matter, which sent shockwaves across the country as it happened just weeks after federal agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37 year old Renee Good during a traffic stop.

The fresh report also represents a significant setback for Noem, who faced harsh criticism from parliamentarians on both sides regarding Pretti’s death. Even President Donald Trump appeared dissatisfied with the homeland security secretary’s performance, given “border czar” Tom Homan’s deployment to Minneapolis to oversee his immigration crackdown.

Last week, White House officials told Politico that President Trump’s decision to replace Noem was “not a sign of confidence” and that “Tom needs to be in charge.”

Former US Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, who declined to respond to questions challenging the government’s assertion that Pretti “waved a gun” in front of his agents, was demoted following the shooting and relocated from Minneapolis.

The federal agents implicated in the shooting were initially reassigned away from the twin cities (Image: Getty Images)

The federal agents implicated in the shooting were initially reassigned away from the twin cities before being placed on administrative leave.

Two of the agents were named on Sunday as Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez, according to federal records.

It remains uncertain whether the Justice Department will collaborate with Minneapolis authorities as the two bodies have clashed throughout the incident.

The damning post-mortem examination may alter the course of the Justice Department’s investigation (Image: Getty Images)

Pretti was restrained on the ground by several Border Patrol agents (Image: @dangjessie/UGC/AFP via Getty Im)

One official even alleged that federal law enforcement attempted to direct local police away from the scene on Nicollet Avenue where the shooting occurred.

Residents have maintained protests against federal law enforcement’s presence in Minneapolis just over a week after Pretti was fatally shot.

Several memorials have been established across the twin cities for both Pretti and Good.