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Federal Agents’ Confrontation with Nurse Precedes Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis
Federal immigration agents forcefully detained Alex Pretti after he kicked out the tail light of their vehicle during a Minneapolis protest on January 13, just 11 days before he was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers, according to videos released Wednesday.
The newly emerged footage shows Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, shouting at federal officers and struggling with them after damaging their vehicle. During the altercation, his winter coat comes off as he’s taken to the ground. He then either breaks free or is released by the officers before quickly moving away.
As Pretti turns away from the camera in the video, what appears to be a handgun is visible in his waistband. The footage does not show Pretti reaching for the weapon, and it remains unclear whether federal agents noticed it during the confrontation.
The videos were captured from two sources: one by Max Shapiro, a Minneapolis attorney who witnessed the incident, and another by a crew from The News Movement, an online media outlet. They show Pretti yelling at federal vehicles and appearing to spit toward an SUV before kicking and breaking its taillight.
In response to the damage, an immigration officer wearing a gas mask and helmet exits the vehicle, grabs Pretti by his shirt, and pulls him to the ground. Other masked and helmeted officers surround them while some stand between the confrontation and screaming protestors. The situation escalates when officers deploy tear gas canisters before withdrawing.
After the encounter, Shapiro approaches Pretti, hugs him, and asks if he’s okay. Pretti confirms he is and then asks others involved in the melee, “Are we all OK? Are we all safe?”
Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing Pretti’s parents, emphasized that this earlier altercation in no way justified the fatal shooting that occurred on January 24. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE,” Schleicher said in a written statement, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The fatal shooting occurred on a sidewalk where Pretti had been recording immigration officers. Bystander videos show an officer pushing Pretti before he’s taken to the ground with approximately six officers trying to subdue him. When one officer notices Pretti’s weapon, which he was licensed to carry, and shouts “He’s got a gun,” two officers open fire.
Trump administration officials quickly claimed Pretti had approached officers with a gun and attacked them. However, multiple videos of the shooting showed that Pretti never brandished his gun or assaulted any officer. He was holding his phone when shot in the back while on the ground.
A spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations confirmed they are reviewing the newly released videos and the incident. It remains unknown whether any officers involved in the earlier confrontation were also present during the fatal shooting on January 24.
The release of these videos has reignited national debate about Pretti’s death. Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, posted one of the videos on social media platform X with the comment, “Just a peaceful legal observer,” suggesting a critical view of Pretti’s actions.
Shapiro, who witnessed and recorded part of the January 13 incident, acknowledged that some might use these videos to vilify Pretti but maintained that Pretti seemed genuinely concerned about those affected by the Trump Administration’s deportation efforts.
“I’m no immigration policy expert,” Shapiro said, “But there has to be a better way to go about this.”
The case continues to highlight tensions between immigration enforcement tactics and civil liberties, raising questions about appropriate use of force and accountability in federal law enforcement operations.
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4 Comments
This is a complex and troubling case. The videos provide some context, but there are still many unanswered questions about the events leading up to Pretti’s death. I hope the authorities conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to determine exactly what happened.
The videos raise more questions than answers about this tragic incident. It’s concerning to see the use of force by federal agents, even if Pretti was acting erratically. Hopefully the full investigation will shed light on the circumstances and lead to greater accountability.
Interesting to see the video footage of the confrontation between Pretti and federal officers in Minneapolis. It seems there was some kind of escalation before the fatal shooting, but the details are still unclear. I wonder if the presence of a gun on Pretti was a key factor in the officers’ response.
As a healthcare worker, Pretti’s death is especially tragic. The videos show a concerning confrontation, but more information is needed to understand if the federal officers’ response was justified. Transparency and accountability will be crucial going forward.