Outcry Grows Over Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis as Family Denies Gun Claims
The United States is witnessing a significant wave of public outrage following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old American citizen Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. This incident marks the second such killing in the city in less than three weeks, intensifying scrutiny over the conduct of immigration enforcement authorities.
Family Statement Contradicts Official Narrative
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Pretti's family expressed profound grief and anger, particularly targeting former President Donald Trump and his administration for referring to Pretti as a "gunman." The family vehemently disputed this characterisation, describing the official accounts as "sickening lies" that are "reprehensible and disgusting."
According to the family, Pretti was not holding a firearm during the encounter. Instead, they assert he had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand raised above his head in a protective gesture. They claim he was attempting to shield a woman whom Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had allegedly pushed to the ground, all while being subjected to pepper spray. "Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man," the statement pleaded.
Witness Testimony and Video Evidence Challenge Authorities
Two witnesses have provided sworn testimony supporting the family's version of events, stating that Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was not brandishing any weapon when he approached federal agents. One witness, who filmed the incident from directly behind Pretti, reported that agents tackled him after he moved to assist an individual they had forced to the ground.
Footage from the scene appears to corroborate these accounts, showing Pretti holding what looks like a mobile phone, not a gun, at the moment he was subdued and shot. This visual evidence stands in stark contrast to the narrative presented by federal officials in the aftermath of the killing.
Federal Officials Defend Their Actions
Following the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an image of a handgun, which Donald Trump subsequently labelled "the gunman's gun" in a social media post. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated at a briefing that Pretti had "approached US border patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun."
Echoing this stance, senior border patrol commander Greg Bovino commented, "This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." These statements have fuelled the controversy, with critics accusing the administration of disseminating misleading information.
Legal and Political Fallout Escalates
The incident has triggered immediate legal and political repercussions. In a significant development, Minnesota federal judge Eric Tostrud ordered federal agencies to preserve all evidence related to Pretti's death. This ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by Minnesota officials on Saturday, alleging that federal authorities were obstructing investigative efforts into the shooting.
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters braved extreme cold weather to gather in cities including Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, and Providence, Rhode Island. Chanting slogans such as "Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE!" the demonstrations highlighted growing public discontent with immigration enforcement tactics.
On the political front, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced that his party would block a forthcoming funding package if it included allocations for the DHS, the department overseeing ICE. The New York senator condemned the events in Minnesota as "appalling – and unacceptable in any American city," criticising Republicans for failing to stand up to President Trump and advocate for meaningful reforms within DHS to curb alleged abuses by ICE.
