The tragic death of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer on January 24 in Minneapolis, has sparked outrage and confusion.
Pretti was killed during what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as “a targeted operation” aimed at apprehending “an illegal alien wanted for violent assault.” However, contradicting witness testimonies and evidence have raised serious questions about the official narrative.
The DHS Account and Contradicting Evidence
According to DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin, Pretti allegedly “approached” officers while armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” their attempts to disarm him. However, multiple witnesses have provided statements and video footage that challenge these claims, including one that shows Pretti holding a phone, not a gun, moments before the shooting.
Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, shared with the Associated Press that they had spoken to their son just days before his death.
They discussed the repair of his garage door, and Alex had even given a Latino repairman a $100 tip because of the tensions in Minneapolis at the time. The parents were also aware that Alex planned to participate in protests but had warned him not to engage with law enforcement.
A Kindhearted Soul
In a statement following their son’s death, Michael and Susan described Alex as a “kindhearted soul” who wanted to make a difference in the world. They vehemently rejected the DHS’s account of the shooting, calling it “sickening lies.”
“We are heartbroken but also very angry,” their statement read. “Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact.”
Eyewitness Accounts
Six witnesses have provided affidavits recounting the events leading up to and following Pretti’s shooting. One witness, a woman driving near the protests, recalled Pretti directing traffic and filming the scene on his cell phone. She saw him approach a group of observers who were being threatened with pepper spray by federal agents.
When Pretti raised his hands in surrender, he was sprayed again and pushed to the ground. The witness stated that Pretti was not resisting but was trying to help a woman who had been shoved to the ground by an ICE agent. Moments later, Pretti was tackled to the ground by several agents, who then began shooting him.
A second witness, an unidentified pediatrician, attempted to offer medical assistance after Pretti was shot. Despite identifying himself as a physician, the agents repeatedly asked to see his medical license before allowing him to assess Pretti.
When he did reach Pretti, the witness found him in “critical condition” but noted that the agents were not attempting to provide medical care, instead appearing to “count his bullet wounds.” The physician performed CPR until EMS personnel arrived, but it was later confirmed that Alex had sustained at least 10 gunshot wounds in a matter of seconds.
The Aftermath
The incident has left the community devastated, with questions mounting about the actions of the Border Patrol agents and the lack of immediate medical intervention following the shooting. Pretti’s family and the witnesses who spoke out are demanding justice and accountability for the tragic loss of a man who had dedicated his life to helping others.
