MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Family members of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, who was shot and killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis, described him as a caring intensive care nurse and an avid outdoorsman who was deeply disturbed by President Trump's immigration policies. Pretti, 37, had recently participated in protests following the death of another individual at the hands of law enforcement.
'He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States,' said Michael Pretti, Alex's father, reflecting the sentiments of many who are voicing opposition to ICE operations in the area. Pretti, a U.S. citizen and resident of Illinois, had no criminal record and no prior law enforcement encounters.
In a previous conversation, his parents urged him to protest safely, emphasizing the importance of staying out of trouble. 'We had this discussion a couple of weeks ago... He said he knows that. He knew that.' Yet, the circumstances of his death have raised more questions than answers.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Pretti was shot after approaching U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. However, there is no visible sign of the firearm in bystander footage of the incident. Family members acknowledged Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit but stressed he was not known to carry it regularly.
Upon learning about the shooting from a reporter, the Pretti family attempted to gather information but faced challenges with communication from local law enforcement and border patrol. Eventually, they confirmed through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner that the deceased matched Alex's description. The family is now calling for transparency and justice in the wake of this tragic incident.
'He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States,' said Michael Pretti, Alex's father, reflecting the sentiments of many who are voicing opposition to ICE operations in the area. Pretti, a U.S. citizen and resident of Illinois, had no criminal record and no prior law enforcement encounters.
In a previous conversation, his parents urged him to protest safely, emphasizing the importance of staying out of trouble. 'We had this discussion a couple of weeks ago... He said he knows that. He knew that.' Yet, the circumstances of his death have raised more questions than answers.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Pretti was shot after approaching U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. However, there is no visible sign of the firearm in bystander footage of the incident. Family members acknowledged Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit but stressed he was not known to carry it regularly.
Upon learning about the shooting from a reporter, the Pretti family attempted to gather information but faced challenges with communication from local law enforcement and border patrol. Eventually, they confirmed through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner that the deceased matched Alex's description. The family is now calling for transparency and justice in the wake of this tragic incident.
