The grieving family of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, were left in the dark about his tragic death until a journalist from the Associated Press contacted them, it has been revealed. This shocking failure of official communication has compounded the anguish of his loved ones and ignited widespread protests across the nation.
A Tragic Notification
According to reports, the Pretti family were completely unaware that Alex had been shot and killed by border patrol agents on a Saturday in Minneapolis. The first they heard of the incident was when an AP reporter called them with the devastating news. Following this call, the family viewed witness videos circulating online that depicted the shooting. They stated the individual in the footage 'appeared to be their son,' confirming their worst fears.
Official Silence and Failed Communication
Michael Pretti, Alex's father, expressed profound frustration at the inability to obtain information from any official channels. 'I can’t get any information from anybody,' he said on the day of the shooting. 'The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrol’s closed, the hospitals won’t answer any questions.'
It was only after persistent efforts that the family managed to contact the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. The examiner confirmed they had a body that matched the name and description of Alex Pretti. The family emphasised that, hours after the shooting on Saturday evening, no representative from the Trump administration had reached out to them.
Compounding the Grief with Allegations
The family's pain was intensified by subsequent allegations made by Trump administration officials. In the aftermath of the shooting, officials branded Alex Pretti a 'domestic terrorist' who had 'brandished' a firearm with intent to 'massacre' law enforcement officers.
The Pretti family released a scathing statement condemning these claims as 'sickening lies' that were 'reprehensible and disgusting.' They vehemently denied that Alex pointed a gun at border patrol officers. Instead, they asserted that video evidence clearly shows he was attempting to protect a woman who had been pepper-sprayed.
Contesting the Official Narrative
'Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs,' the family wrote. 'He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.'
They pleaded with the public to seek the truth, stating, 'Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.' Video footage from multiple angles has been cited as contradicting the administration's claims, showing no 'brandishing' of a weapon. Department of Homeland Security official Kristi Noem was labelled a liar for insisting otherwise.
The Life of Alex Pretti
Alex Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was an active student at Preble High School, participating in football, baseball, and track. He was a Boy Scout and a member of the Green Bay Boy Choir. He later attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society, and the environment.
Before becoming a registered nurse, Pretti worked as a research scientist. He was employed as an ICU nurse for Veterans Affairs at the Minneapolis VA hospital, where he was described by his family as a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for American veterans.
Personal Background and Beliefs
Pretti's ex-wife, who spoke to the Associated Press anonymously, described him as a Democrat who was likely to attend protests. She noted his involvement in Black Lives Matter demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd. While he might shout at law enforcement during protests, she said she had never known him to be physically confrontational.
She also revealed that Pretti had obtained a permit to carry a concealed firearm approximately three years prior and owned at least one semiautomatic handgun when they separated. The family's statement honoured his character: 'Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact.' They added, 'However his last thought and act was to protect a woman.'
Although the family initially accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of responsibility, it was later clarified that agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were involved in the shooting. The incident continues to raise serious questions about police accountability, official communication protocols, and the portrayal of victims in politically charged environments.
