Video evidence has emerged that directly contradicts claims by senior Trump administration officials regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. The footage, reviewed by the Guardian, shows the 37-year-old registered nurse was holding a mobile phone, not a firearm, when he was tackled and shot on Saturday.
Administration's Account Disputed by Visual Proof
In the aftermath of the killing, the Department of Homeland Security released an image of a handgun, which Donald Trump referred to as "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", though she later declined to confirm whether Pretti ever brandished the weapon.
Greg Bovino, a senior border patrol commander, echoed this narrative, telling reporters that Pretti approached agents with the gun and that officers fired "defensive shots" fearing for their lives. However, multiple witness videos tell a different story.
Witness Footage Reveals True Sequence of Events
Video provided to the Guardian by a Minneapolis resident shows Pretti standing on Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis, holding up his phone as an officer shoves him back. He retreated but continued recording. Minutes later, at approximately 9:03 am, Minneapolis police were alerted to the shooting.
Another clip, obtained by Drop Site News, depicts Pretti recording an immigration enforcement operation while other observers blew whistles and honked horns. The footage shows him stepping in to defend another observer who was shoved to the ground by a federal officer. That officer then sprayed Pretti with a chemical agent before tackling him with two other agents.
Surrounding and Shooting Captured on Camera
At least two other witnesses recorded the ensuing scene. Seven agents quickly surrounded Pretti, held him down, and hit him. One officer in jeans and a grey jacket reached toward Pretti's lower back and stepped away with what appeared to be a gun. Less than a second later, another agent drew a firearm and appeared to fire a shot at close range. As agents stepped back, a volley of 10 more shots rang out.
Independent journalist Eoin Higgins noted that the video suggests agents might have opened fire moments after disarming Pretti of a gun he was legally permitted to carry but had not brandished during the encounter.
Officials Maintain False Narrative Despite Evidence
Despite the clear video evidence showing Pretti was merely recording on his phone, Secretary Noem stuck to the administration's story at a briefing originally scheduled to discuss a winter storm. She referred to Pretti as an "armed suspect" and falsely claimed he was "brandishing" the weapon when approaching federal agents.
Family's Heartbreak and Outrage
In a statement to local news Kare 11, Pretti's parents expressed their grief and anger. They condemned the "sickening lies" told by the administration, emphasising that video clearly shows Pretti holding a phone with his empty left hand raised while trying to protect a woman. They pleaded for the truth to be shared, describing their son as a good man.
This incident highlights significant discrepancies between official accounts and visual evidence, raising serious questions about the conduct of federal agents and the transparency of the Trump administration.
