Federal Agents Fatally Shoot ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Who Held a Phone, Not a Gun, According to Video Evidence
Contrary to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) statements, witnesses’ videos related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24 suggest a different story.
ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Killed by Feds in Minn. Held Phone, Not a Gun, Video Shows
In the tragic event that took place on Saturday, January 24, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis. The DHS claimed in an official statement that Pretti was ‘armed’ and ‘resisted violently’, which instigated the shooting. However, video footage provided by witnesses appears to contradict these assertions, showing Pretti holding a phone, not a gun as claimed by the officers.
On the mentioned date, around 9 a.m., DHS law enforcement officers were involved in a targeted operation against a non-citizen sought for violent assault, as stated by DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Soon after, a 37-year-old man, later identified as Alex Pretti, was shot dead by the officers.
The DHS’s official statement indicated that a person ‘approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun’ and ‘resisted violently’ when they tried to disarm him. Subsequently, an agent ‘fired defensive shots’ at the individual, as per the agency.
However, video evidence verified by The New York Times shows a different picture, contradicting the DHS’s account. Pretti is visible standing amidst a group of protestors, both his hands visible and one of them holding his phone, while an agent sprays pepper spray at the crowd.
As the video progresses, multiple agents approach Pretti, who does not seem to be holding any weapon or attempting to draw one while he is pinned on the sidewalk. 
The New York Times reported that it seemed Pretti’s gun was already unholstered by an agent before he was shot in the back. He reportedly sustained a minimum of 10 gunshots within a span of five seconds.
Pretti’s family has accused the Trump administration of fabricating ‘disturbing lies’ about his death, in a statement circulated by the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.
Expressing their sorrow and anger, Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan stated, ‘The horrifying lies spread about our son by the administration are deplorable and disgusting.’ They emphasized that Alex was clearly not holding a gun when the ICE agents attacked him.
‘He had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand was raised above his head while he was trying to protect a woman who ICE had just knocked down, all while being pepper-sprayed,’ they added. They implored the public to spread the truth about their son, describing him as a good man.
Police chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that at the time of his death, Pretti had a clean criminal record and was a legitimate gun owner.
During a press conference on Saturday, O’Hara revealed that more than one law enforcement officer was involved in the discharge and the public video shows several officers ‘in a scuffle with someone.’ When questioned about the DHS’s account of the incident, O’Hara stated, ‘The video speaks for itself.’
As of January 25, the DHS has not responded with any further comments on the incident.
NEED TO KNOW
Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was fatally shot by federal officers in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24.
The DHS claimed in an official statement that the shooting was instigated because Pretti was ‘armed’ and ‘resisted violently’.
Contrary to the DHS’s claims, video footage provided by witnesses appears to show Pretti holding a phone, not a gun as alleged by the officers.
Witness footage indicates that the ICU nurse fatally shot by federal officers in Minneapolis was not armed at the time of his killing, contrary to the official claims.
On the said date, around 9 a.m., DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an individual wanted for violent assault, as previously stated by DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Shortly thereafter, a 37-year-old man, later identified as Alex Pretti, was fatally shot by the officers.
The DHS’s official statement claimed that an individual ‘approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun’ and ‘resisted violently’ when they tried to disarm him. Following this, an agent ‘fired defensive shots’ at the suspect, according to the agency.
However, video evidence verified by The New York Times appears to contradict the DHS’s account. Pretti is seen standing among a group of protestors with both hands visible, one of them holding his phone, while an agent sprays pepper spray at the crowd.
Several agents then approach Pretti, who doesn’t seem to be holding or drawing a weapon as he is pinned on the sidewalk.
According to The New York Times, it seems that Pretti’s gun was already unholstered by an agent before he was shot in the back. He reportedly sustained a minimum of 10 gunshots within a span of five seconds.
Pretti’s family has accused the Trump administration of fabricating ‘disturbing lies’ about his death, in a statement circulated by the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.
Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, have stated, ‘We are both devastated and extremely angry. The horrifying lies spread about our son by the administration are deplorable and disgusting.’ They emphasized that Alex was clearly not holding a gun when the ICE agents attacked him.
‘He had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand was raised above his head while he was trying to protect a woman who ICE had just knocked down, all while being pepper-sprayed,’ they added, urging the public to spread the truth about their son, whom they described as a good man.
Police chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that at the time of his death, Pretti had a clean criminal record and was a legitimate gun owner.
During a press conference on Saturday, O’Hara revealed that more than one law enforcement officer was involved in the discharge and that the public video shows several officers ‘in a scuffle with someone.’ When questioned about the DHS’s account of the incident, O’Hara stated, ‘The video speaks for itself.’
The DHS has not responded with any further comments on the incident as of January 25.