Federal agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis over the weekend—Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen and nurse. This tragic incident marks the second fatal shooting in the city this month amid ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement actions.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal agents were conducting a targeted operation when they encountered Pretti, claiming he approached them with a handgun. Reports indicate that Pretti resisted attempts to disarm him, prompting agents to open fire. However, videos of the encounter show a different narrative, with many witnesses asserting that Pretti was holding a phone, not a gun, at the time of the confrontation.
Eyewitness accounts argue that Pretti was trying to document the federal agents' actions, which escalated into a scuffle. Videos reveal moments where agents appeared to use physical force, including pepper spray, against Pretti as he attempted to assist another individual. The chaos culminated in a burst of gunfire, with multiple shots fired by the agents. Residents captured these events, which have since gone viral, intensifying public scrutiny of the incident.
Pretti's parents expressed their heartbreak and anger, vehemently contesting the official account from the DHS. They emphasize their son's character, describing him as a compassionate nurse who cared for veterans at the Minneapolis VA hospital. They are pleading for the truth to be revealed, adamantly denying claims that he was armed or posed a threat to the agents.
This incident has led to renewed protests against federal immigration enforcement, with local leaders echoing calls for federal agents to withdraw from Minneapolis. Video evidence is pivotal in shaping public understanding and response to this tragic chapter in a city grappling with tensions over immigration and law enforcement practices.
