Shocking new video footage circulating widely on social media appears to capture a Department of Homeland Security officer applauding as protestor Alex Jeffrey Pretti was killed during a confrontation in Minneapolis on Saturday. The incident has ignited fierce controversy and drawn condemnation from the victim's family, who have denounced official accounts of the event as "sickening lies."
Disturbing Footage Emerges from Minneapolis Streets
The video in question shows an officer wearing a police vest over a black hoodie running toward Glam Doll Donuts on the corner of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. At that location, Border Patrol agents had 37-year-old Pretti pinned down on the sidewalk following an altercation. Before the officer could join his colleagues, gunfire erupted.
According to the visual evidence, a single shot rang out first, causing the officer to stop abruptly. This was followed rapidly by at least nine additional shots. In a deeply unsettling sequence, the officer is then seen backing away from the scene and clapping his hands three times before turning and walking off.
Conflicting Accounts and Family Outrage
Pretti's family branded the killing a "murder" on Saturday night, expressing profound distress and anger. They vehemently criticised what they described as "reprehensible and disgusting" narratives being promoted by the Trump administration regarding their late relative.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterised the events in Minneapolis as a "violent riot" during a press conference in Washington, D.C. She stated, "I don’t know any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition, rather than a sign. This is a violent riot. We have someone showing up with weapons and are using them to assault law enforcement officers."
However, Secretary Noem did not respond to reporters' questions about whether Pretti had been disarmed before the shooting, nor did she clarify precisely when federal agents retrieved his firearm.
Second Video Shows Weapon Retrieval
Another video posted to social media appears to show a different federal agent disarming Pretti moments before he was shot. The footage depicts the agent, who initially had empty hands, reaching into the scrum of officers restraining Pretti. After reaching toward Pretti's lower back area—where he allegedly kept his gun holstered—the agent emerges with what appears to be a firearm in his right hand before running from the scene.
It remains unclear whether this was Pretti's legally owned nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti had no serious criminal history, with records showing only minor parking violations, and that he was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigation
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement saying that officers attempted to disarm Pretti but that he "violently resisted." The statement continued, "Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene."
Notably, the statement does not explicitly confirm whether officers successfully overcame Pretti's alleged resistance to take possession of his weapon.
Background of the Confrontation
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino explained to reporters that his agents were attempting to arrest Jose Huerta-Chuma, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador, when Pretti intervened. Video evidence shows Pretti confronting agents with his phone in hand before being backed toward the sidewalk where the fatal struggle occurred.
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was a 37-year-old Minnesota resident and US citizen who worked as a registered nurse for the Veterans Health Administration at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Public records indicate he earned approximately $90,783 in 2023.
Community Reaction and Historical Context
In the aftermath of the shooting, thousands of people descended on the area where Pretti was killed, continuing protests against the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel in Minneapolis. Protestors created a makeshift memorial and displayed signs demanding that ICE leave their city.
Tragically, Pretti becomes the second US citizen to be killed by federal agents in Minneapolis recently. On January 7, 37-year-old Renee Good was shot to death in her car by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, adding to the community's growing concerns about federal law enforcement actions in the area.
The emergence of these videos has raised serious questions about the conduct of federal officers during the incident and the official account provided by authorities. As investigations continue, the footage has become a focal point for public debate about policing, protest rights, and immigration enforcement tactics in American cities.
