Ana Navarro Hails Slain Minneapolis Nurse as 'Perfect Guy' Following Border Patrol Shooting
The View host Ana Navarro has publicly praised Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis ICU nurse who was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers, describing him as the 'perfect guy' and someone 'you'd want to date your daughter.' The Republican commentator, known for her staunch criticism of former President Donald Trump, made these emotional remarks during a CNN panel discussion on Wednesday evening.
Navarro's Emotional Tribute to a 'Decent Human Being'
Navarro's comments came just four days after Pretti was shot ten times in broad daylight during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis. 'They chose to... they killed the wrong guy,' Navarro told fellow panelists emphatically. 'Right? Because this is the perfect guy. Alex Pretti is a guy you would want to date your daughter, the guy you want your son to grow up to be.'
She continued her heartfelt tribute by stating: 'A decent human being who was serving humanity. Serving sick veterans. There is nothing that has been said about that man that isn't wonderful.' Navarro emphasised that authorities could not malign Pretti's character because video evidence exists from the incident.
Remembering Alex Pretti: A Caring Nurse and Patriot
Alex Pretti, aged 37, has been remembered by loved ones as a dedicated nurse who cared for US veterans. His mother previously told the Associated Press that her son 'loved his country, but hated what people were doing with it.' Footage from the fatal incident showed a federal officer removing a lawfully-owned gun from Pretti's holster before he was shot dead.
Navarro addressed initial attempts by Trump administration officials to portray Pretti as a 'domestic terrorist' because he possessed a legally-owned firearm. She noted that a subsequent government report has undermined allegations that he 'brandished' the weapon during the protest.
Broader Context: Second Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis
The television personality connected Pretti's death to another recent incident, stating: 'People realize they are being lied to, and they will not be lied to a second time, the way they were lied to about Renee Good.' Pretti's tragic death occurred just weeks after Good, another US citizen, was shot during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis.
Good was driving during a demonstration when ICE agent Jonathan Ross opened fire, causing her to crash her car and die. Both Good and Pretti were labeled as 'domestic terrorists' or 'professional agitators' by Trump officials. Navarro concluded: 'People have had it. The country has had it, and they're feeling the heat.'
New Footage Emerges Showing Earlier Altercation
Recent footage has emerged showing Pretti spitting at a federal SUV and smashing its tail light just eleven days before his death. Lawyers for Pretti's family confirmed to The Star Tribune that the individual in the January 11 footage is indeed Pretti, with identification assisted by BBC facial recognition software.
Attorney Steve Schleicher, representing the family, stated: 'A week before Alex was gunned down in the street - despite posing no threat to anyone - he was violently assaulted by a group of ICE agents.' Schleicher, who previously helped secure a conviction for Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case, added: 'Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.'
Detailed Account of the January 11 Incident
The newly-released video shows Pretti wearing an identical brown outfit to that worn on the day of his death. The clip begins with him angrily spitting at the window of a Ford Expedition SUV containing federal officers conducting immigration raids, while screaming 'F*****g trash' at them.
As the vehicle began to pull away, Pretti kicked its tail light, shattering it. An officer then exited the car and engaged in a physical altercation with Pretti, pinning him to the ground as bystanders jeered. During the struggle, Pretti's hat came off, revealing the same male pattern baldness visible in footage from his final moments.
Surrounding officers fired tear gas and pepper balls into the crowd before agents released Pretti. The protester, who appeared to have a gun in his waistband as he did during the fatal shooting, collected his belongings and walked away. The officers involved appeared to be ICE or Department of Homeland Security agents.
Investigation and Aftermath
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Pretti had suffered a broken rib during an altercation with federal officers before his killing, though it remains unclear whether the new footage depicts this specific injury. Pretti does not appear to have been arrested for damaging federal property during the January 11 incident.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed they are investigating the footage. Meanwhile, the two Border Patrol agents responsible for shooting and killing Pretti have been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation into the controversial incident that has sparked national debate about protest policing and immigration enforcement.
