Fresh Video Evidence Contradicts Official Narrative in Minneapolis Protester Killing
Newly obtained bystander footage has emerged that directly challenges the Trump administration's characterisation of the fatal shooting of Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents. The video evidence raises serious questions about official claims that Pretti was an armed "would-be assassin" intent on causing maximum damage to federal officers.
Video Shows Confrontation Without Weapon Display
The approximately seven-minute video, obtained by The Associated Press, captures the Saturday encounter near a Minneapolis donut shop where legal observers were monitoring Border Patrol operations. The footage shows Pretti engaged in a heated exchange with an officer while holding a mobile phone, not a firearm.
In the clip, Pretti can be heard saying "Do not touch me" as an agent pushes against his chest. The video then shows a large group of agents piling on top of Pretti and striking him repeatedly, prompting the legal observer filming the exchange to declare: "That is police brutality. They are hitting an observer. They are kicking them in the face."
Gunshots are heard shortly afterward, causing the group to scatter. Multiple angles of the encounter present a consistent picture of Pretti as a protester engaged in verbal confrontation, but not threatening officers with lethal force.
Contradiction With Official Statements
The video evidence stands in stark contrast to how federal officials described the shooting immediately after it occurred. Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller characterised Pretti as a "would-be assassin" who "tried to murder law enforcement." A senior Border Patrol official suggested Pretti wanted to cause "maximum damage," while the Border Patrol union claimed the 37-year-old nurse had brandished his weapon.
Federal authorities have yet to present any public evidence demonstrating that Pretti, who was licensed to carry a firearm, posed an immediate armed threat to officers at the time of the shooting. The newly released footage further undermines the administration's narrative about the circumstances leading to Pretti's death.
Additional Context and Family Response
Shortly before he was killed, witnesses report that Pretti positioned himself between an agent and a woman who had been pushed into a snowbank, using his body to shield her as the officer deployed a chemical agent. This action appears consistent with protective rather than aggressive behaviour.
Pretti's family has strongly denounced the administration's characterisation of events, accusing officials of telling "sickening lies" about their deceased relative. The family's statement adds emotional weight to the growing discrepancy between official accounts and visual evidence.
Investigation Complications and Legal Developments
While federal authorities are conducting their own investigation into the shooting, Minnesota officials are advocating for a local probe as well. State investigators have alleged that federal agents blocked their access to the shooting scene immediately after the incident, potentially compromising evidence preservation.
In a significant legal development on Sunday, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting federal officials from destroying or altering any evidence related to the case. This judicial intervention reflects concerns about evidence integrity and transparency in the investigation process.
The emerging video evidence, combined with conflicting official statements and investigation complications, creates a complex picture of an incident that continues to generate controversy and raise questions about law enforcement accountability and transparency in use-of-force incidents.
