Who Is Greg Bovino? Border Patrol Commander After Alex Pretti Shooting

Minneapolis is grappling with public outrage following the tragic deaths of residents such as Renee Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti amid heightened federal immigration enforcement. On January 24, 2026, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in south Minneapolis. His death left his family devastated and triggered widespread protests across the city. Amid this controversy, senior Border Patrol official Greg Bovino emerged as a central figure and was reportedly removed from his high-profile post.

Who is Greg Bovino?

Gregory Bovino, born in 1970 in North Carolina, has been a senior U.S. Border Patrol official since 1996. Known as the “Liberace of the Border Patrol” for his flamboyant style, Bovino became a polarizing MAGA figure and oversaw several aggressive immigration enforcement campaigns during the Trump administration. He frequently travels with a film crew documenting his activities and holds the title of “commander-at-large.”

Following the Minneapolis shooting, Bovino defended the agents involved, calling the incident a “split-second decision” in self-defense, claiming Alex Pretti intended to “massacre law enforcement.” Reports indicated that Bovino helped relocate the agents involved in the shooting and faced backlash, with multiple sources suggesting he would return to his prior role in California. However, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin clarified, “Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties…He remains a key part of the President’s team.”

Alex Pretti, a dedicated ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, was a lawful gun owner and vocal critic of the administration’s immigration policies. Eyewitness videos contradicted official accounts, showing Pretti was pinned and disarmed before being shot multiple times. His death, following the earlier killing of Renee Nicole Good, led to protests in Minneapolis and the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard. The American Nurses Association described Pretti as a compassionate professional who “devoted his life to helping others.”