Federal Grand Jury Indicts Two Women in Assaults on Federal Agents After Alex Pretti Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

In the charged days following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a federal grand jury in Minnesota has returned indictments against two women accused of assaulting federal law enforcement officers during unrest in South Minneapolis.

The indictments, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, stem from clashes on January 24, 2026, near Nicollet Avenue between 27th and 28th streets, where federal agents had established a security perimeter amid escalating protests.

At the center of the case are Claire Louise Feng, 27, of St. Paul, and Emily Duchateau Baierl, each charged under federal law for allegedly assaulting officers during attempts to restore order in the hours after Pretti’s death.

The Scene: A Perimeter Under Strain

According to federal court records, officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations were deployed to secure a perimeter in the Whittier neighborhood following the fatal shooting of Pretti earlier that day. Authorities have said the presence was intended to protect personnel and manage a rapidly growing crowd.

Court filings describe tensions escalating when objects and chemical canisters were thrown toward officers.

The Case Against Claire Louise Feng

Claire Louise Feng faces one count of assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury, a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 111.

Federal prosecutors allege that:

• A CBP officer was attempting to detain an individual accused of throwing a chemical agent canister toward law enforcement.
• Feng allegedly tackled the CBP officer from behind during that attempted arrest.
• An HSI special agent intervened and brought Feng to the ground.

It was during that struggle, according to the indictment, that Feng allegedly bit the agent’s right ring finger with enough force to sever the fingertip, leaving bone exposed.

Court documents state the agent was wearing protective gloves at the time but required medical attention shortly thereafter. The injury is described in filings as significant.

Feng’s attorney has publicly indicated that she intends to contest the allegations. No plea has been entered at the time of publication.

The Case Against Emily Duchateau Baierl

Emily Duchateau Baierl was separately indicted on one count of forcibly assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer.

According to the prosecution:

• Baierl was observed throwing objects toward officers, including spent chemical agent canisters that law enforcement had previously deployed.
• When officers attempted to place her under arrest, a struggle ensued.
• As one agent attempted to remove Baierl’s mask during the arrest process, she allegedly bit the agent’s middle finger.

Although the officer was wearing tactical gloves, federal filings state that the bite caused injury requiring medical attention.

The Federal Statute and Potential Penalties

Both indictments were brought under 18 U.S.C. § 111, which criminalizes assaults on federal officers performing official duties. When bodily injury results, the offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors emphasized that indictments are formal accusations and that both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The cases are being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations.

The Broader Context

The January 24 confrontation unfolded hours after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal immigration enforcement agent, an event that ignited protests across Minneapolis and drew hundreds into the streets.

In the aftermath, federal personnel joined local authorities to establish controlled perimeters in areas where demonstrations intensified. While many gatherings remained peaceful, court records indicate that portions of the crowd engaged in direct confrontation with law enforcement, leading to multiple arrests and subsequent federal review.

The indictments now place two individual protest participants at the center of a broader legal reckoning tied to that turbulent week.

As the cases move forward in U.S. District Court, they will test not only the specific allegations of assault, but also the delicate balance between protest rights and federal enforcement authority in moments of civic unrest.

MinneapoliMedia will continue to monitor proceedings as court dates are set and additional filings emerge

MinneapoliMedia