Newly released video footage has surfaced showing Alex Pretti engaged in a confrontation with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, occurring just eleven days before he was fatally shot by officers. The incident, which took place on January 13th at the intersection of East 36th Street and Park Avenue, captures a tense altercation that has since sparked significant public and political debate.
Details of the Confrontation
A representative for the Pretti family has confirmed to Sky News' US partner network, NBC News, that the individual depicted in the video is indeed Alex Pretti. In the footage, federal agents can be seen blocking a street, with Mr Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, among a crowd of observers. The scene unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tensions, following the shooting death of Renee Good by an ICE agent in the nearby Portland Avenue South area just four days earlier.
Sequence of Events in the Video
The video, shared by the outlet The News Movement, documents a series of escalating actions. As the agents begin to drive away from the gathered crowd, Mr Pretti appears to spit at their vehicle. He is then observed kicking the vehicle's taillight, dislodging it with repeated strikes. In response, an agent exits the vehicle, physically grabs Mr Pretti, and forces him to the ground.
During this altercation, agents deploy tear gas and pepper balls into the surrounding crowd. They continue to restrain Mr Pretti until he manages to break free. Notably, a holstered handgun is visible behind his back as he shouts at the retreating officials. Sky News has noted that it has not been able to independently verify the events leading up to this incident.
Family and Legal Responses
Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing the Pretti family, issued a strong statement regarding the footage. He emphasised that "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." Mr Schleicher further argued that "nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24."
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has informed NBC News that their investigations team is currently reviewing the video content. This review is part of the ongoing scrutiny into the circumstances surrounding Mr Pretti's death.
Political Reactions and Context
The video has attracted attention at the highest levels of US politics. Former President Donald Trump shared the full footage of the January 13th incident on his Truth Social platform. He subsequently reposted a comment from an X user sarcastically referring to Mr Pretti as "such a peaceful protester." However, in later remarks to reporters before a rally in Iowa, Mr Trump appeared to distance himself from more extreme characterisations, stating, "No [I wouldn't call Mr Pretti a would-be assassin]. Not as a - no... Listen, you can't walk in with guns. You can't do that, but it's just a very unfortunate incident."
This contrasts with statements from other top White House officials, including Trump adviser Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who have described Mr Pretti as a "would-be assassin" due to his possession of a firearm at the time of his death. It is important to note that local officials in Minnesota have stated Mr Pretti was carrying the handgun legally, a right protected under the Second Amendment of the US Constitution.
Aftermath and Ongoing Developments
Mr Pretti was shot ten times by two federal officers on January 24th. He had been actively protesting the presence of ICE agents in Minneapolis following the death of Renee Good. In the wake of the shooting and the release of this new video, the agents involved in the fatal incident have been placed on administrative leave. This action was taken after former President Trump expressed a desire to "de-escalate" the volatile situation.
The emergence of this video adds a critical new dimension to the investigation and public understanding of the events leading to Alex Pretti's death, highlighting ongoing tensions between protestors and federal immigration authorities in the United States.
