The family of a nurse from Minneapolis who was fatally shot by the Department of Homeland Security has issued a scathing statement condemning the Trump administration and accusing ICE agents of cowardice and brutality.
Following the death of Alex Jeffrey Pretti on Saturday morning, his family passionately responded, describing the administration’s portrayal of their son as “repugnant and abhorrent.”
They insisted, “Alex was not armed when he was confronted by Trump’s so-called ICE operatives.”
According to the family, “He held only his phone in his right hand, while his left hand was raised defensively, trying to shield a woman who had been knocked down by ICE officers amidst a cloud of pepper spray.”
The family pleaded for the truth to be shared about their son, emphasizing, “He was a good man.”
On the same day, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated claims that Pretti had “brandished” a weapon at her officers prior to the incident.
But footage taken of the killing appears to dispute her claims.
One agent was seen removing what appeared to be Pretti’s legally-owned handgun from his waistband.
The family of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the Minneapolis intensive care nurse fatally shot by a federal immigration officer, issued a searing statement accusing the Trump administration of spreading ‘sickening lies’
The Pretti family demanded the public see the video evidence they say makes it clear that their son was holding a cellphone and not a gun when he was attacked and killed
Earlier on, Pretti could be seen holding a shiny object aloft while scuffling with an officer, moments after he was pepper-sprayed.
It is unclear what that object was. He had been recording with his phone in one hand before the confrontation erupted.
His other hand appeared to be free. The agent he was tussling with did not yell ‘gun’ at the sight of that object or recoil.
Pretti, who worked as an intensive care nurse for Veterans Affairs, was hailed as a good and caring man by his grieving family.
Their statement said: ‘Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital.
‘Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact.
‘I do not through around the hero term lightly.
‘However his last thought and act was to protect a woman.’
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, could be seen the street filming with his phone while a small group confronts a federal agent. His other hand appeared to be empty
Pretti is seen holding his phone and appearing to speak or film as he engages with federal agents
Pretti can be seen holding a bright, shiny object during a struggle with federal agents
The Border Patrol Union appeared to put forward their own justification as to how events unfolded without hours of the shooting taking place
Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed getting into adventures with Joule, his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog who also recently died.
He had also participated in protests following the January 7 killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs officer.
‘He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,’ said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father.
‘He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.’
Pretti was a US citizen, born in Illinois. Like Good, court records showed he had no criminal record and his family said he had never had any interactions with law enforcement beyond a handful of traffic tickets.
In a recent conversation with their son, his parents, who live in Colorado, told him to be careful when protesting.
‘We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,’ Michael Pretti said.
‘And he said he knows that. He knew that.’
Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed outdoor pursuits including mountain biking
Pretti was an intensive care unit nurse and had worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a nurse
Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.
The family first learned of the shooting when they were called by a reporter for the Associated Press.
They watched the video and said the man killed appeared to be their son. They then tried reaching out to officials in Minnesota to try and get more information.
‘I can’t get any information from anybody,’ Michael Pretti said earlier. ‘The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrol´s closed, the hospitals won´t answer any questions.’
Eventually, the family called the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who they said confirmed had a body matching the name and description of their son.
As of Saturday evening, the family said they had still not heard from anyone at a federal law enforcement agency about their son’s death.
Alex Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he played football, baseball and ran track for Preble High School. He was a Boy Scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir.
After graduation, he went to the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and the environment, according to the family.
He worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a registered nurse.
