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Misleading Claims Circulate About Alex Pretti Memorial in Times Square
False social media claims that a tribute to slain Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti appeared on a Times Square billboard have spread widely online, an AFP investigation has found.
Multiple posts across X, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram showed what appeared to be a massive image of Pretti projected onto a building in New York City’s iconic Times Square, with text describing him as going “from health care hero to target of violence.” One viral post on X claimed: “BREAKING — Alex Pretti Honored in Times Square.”
However, an AFP journalist who visited the location confirmed no such memorial existed at the corner of 7th Avenue and West 43rd Street. Photos taken on site on January 26 show normal billboard advertisements with no image of Pretti visible. The fabricated video also lacked snow on the ground, despite a recent snowstorm that had blanketed the eastern United States.
A reverse image search revealed the viral clip was created by digitally superimposing Pretti’s photo onto an existing advertisement. The original footage appears to have come from an Instagram account that produces AI-generated content and had previously created similar fake projections for Indian Independence Day celebrations.
The circulation of this false content comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following the January 24 shooting of Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by federal immigration agents. Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was killed after being tackled to the ground by agents.
The Department of Homeland Security initially claimed Pretti intended to harm officers, but subsequent video analysis by media organizations contradicted this narrative. The Trump administration has since adjusted its position, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating on January 26 that President Trump was awaiting investigation results before making further comments.
This shooting came just weeks after immigration agents killed another American citizen, Renee Good, on January 7 in Minneapolis. Both deaths have intensified scrutiny over President Trump’s deployment of federal immigration enforcement agents to the city.
The incidents have sparked outrage and legitimate rallies honoring Pretti across Minneapolis, but the Times Square memorial never materialized. This hasn’t stopped social media personalities from weighing in on the fabricated display. Comedian Terrence K. Williams, who has previously spread misinformation according to fact-checkers, questioned the purported tribute, writing: “So many people have been killed by illegal immigrants and they never made it to a billboard.”
The false Times Square memorial represents the latest in a series of misleading claims surrounding federal enforcement activities in Minneapolis. AFP has previously fact-checked several pieces of misinformation related to both the Good and Pretti cases as tensions continue to escalate.
Digital manipulation of images and videos has become increasingly common in politically charged situations, requiring heightened vigilance from media consumers. This incident demonstrates how easily fabricated content can spread and potentially inflame already volatile public sentiment around controversial topics like immigration enforcement.
As investigations into Pretti’s death continue, the spread of false visual evidence highlights the challenges in separating fact from fiction in today’s digital information landscape.
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9 Comments
This situation highlights the need for robust fact-checking and media literacy efforts. It’s crucial that people are able to distinguish real information from manipulated or misleading content, especially on social media.
I appreciate the diligence of the AFP journalists in confirming the facts on the ground. Fact-checking is critical work, especially when it comes to sensitive topics and potential misinformation.
The lack of actual snow in the viral video footage should have been a red flag. Verifying contextual details is an important part of evaluating the authenticity of claims made online.
Good point. Little details like that can be overlooked, but they’re often key indicators that something may not be as it seems.
Fabricating memorial tributes in a place like Times Square is a concerning act of disinformation. I’m glad the AFP investigation was able to debunk this claim and set the record straight.
Interesting fact check. It’s concerning to see false claims circulating online about events that never actually happened. Verifying information before sharing is important, especially around sensitive topics like this.
While the viral video may have seemed convincing at first glance, I’m glad the truth was ultimately uncovered. Spreading misinformation, even unintentionally, can have real consequences.
Absolutely. Even well-meaning people can inadvertently contribute to the spread of false narratives. Fact-checking should be a reflex before sharing.
This is a sobering reminder of the importance of critical thinking and media literacy. We all have a responsibility to be discerning consumers of information, especially in the digital age.