Fresh Videos Surface Showing Alex Pretti's Violent Encounter with Federal Immigration Agents in Minneapolis
Newly emerged footage from Wednesday has revealed a forceful confrontation between Alex Pretti and federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, occurring just eleven days before he was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers. The videos depict Pretti being taken to the ground by agents after he kicked out the tail light of their vehicle during a protest, shedding further light on the events leading up to his tragic death.
Details of the January 13th Altercation Captured on Camera
The scuffle, which took place on January 13th, was recorded in two separate videos that show Pretti shouting expletives at the federal officers and engaging in a physical struggle. During the incident, his winter coat comes off as he is forced onto the ground, and he either breaks free or is released by the officers before scurrying away. Notably, when Pretti turns his back to the camera, what appears to be a handgun is visible in his waistband. However, the footage does not show him reaching for the weapon, and it remains unclear whether the federal agents were aware of its presence at the time.
A person with direct knowledge of the incident confirmed to The Associated Press that the individual in the videos is indeed Alex Pretti, and that he had informed his family about the confrontation. This source spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter concerning the family.
National Debate Reignited Over Pretti's Death
The release of these videos has immediately rekindled the national debate surrounding the death of Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, shared one of the videos on social media platform X, commenting sarcastically, "Just a peaceful legal observer." Steve Schleicher, a Minneapolis-based attorney representing Pretti's parents, strongly argued that the earlier altercation did not justify the officers' decision to fatally shoot Pretti on Saturday.
"A week before Alex was gunned down in the street — despite posing no threat to anyone — he was violently assaulted by a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents," Schleicher stated. "Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing at the hands of ICE on January 24."
Official Response and Ongoing Investigations
A spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that the department is currently reviewing the new videos and the incident. It remains unknown whether any of the officers involved in the January 13th altercation were also present during the fatal shooting that occurred last weekend. That shooting took place on a sidewalk adjacent to the street where Pretti had been filming immigration officers.
Bystander footage from the shooting shows one officer pushing Pretti, after which he is taken to the ground and subdued by approximately half a dozen officers. One officer spots Pretti's weapon, which he was licensed to carry, and shouts, "He's got a gun." Two officers then open fire, resulting in Pretti's death. Trump administration officials quickly responded, asserting that Pretti had approached officers with a gun and attacked them.
However, multiple videos of the altercation and shooting indicate that Pretti never brandished his gun and did not assault any officer. He was holding his phone when he was shot in the back while on the ground.
Sources and Content of the New Videos
The newly released videos from the week prior to the shooting originated from two sources. One was published by the Minnesota Star Tribune and later obtained by the AP, filmed by witness Max Shapiro. The second video was captured by a crew from The News Movement, an online media outlet. The footage shows Pretti wearing glasses, a dark baseball cap, and a winter coat, yelling at federal vehicles. At one point, he appears to spit and yell "trash" toward the driver's side of a dark Ford Expedition with flashing red and blue lights.
As the vehicle slowly pulls away, Pretti kicks at the taillight, delivering a second kick that shatters the red plastic and leaves it dangling. The rear door of the SUV then swings open, and an immigration officer wearing a gas mask and helmet exits, approaching Pretti.
The officer grabs Pretti's shirt at his chest, pulling him back toward the vehicle as Pretti's arms flail. He is then pulled onto the street and forced onto his knees, with the officer falling over him during the scuffle. Other masked and helmeted officers surround them, attempting to subdue Pretti, while others stand guard between them and a screaming crowd. The officers eventually set off tear gas canisters and withdraw.
After stumbling away, Pretti is approached by a man filming who asks if he is okay. Pretti affirms that he is, before turning to others involved in the melee and inquiring, "Are we all OK? Are we all safe?"
Bedayn reported from Denver.
