The father of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse fatally shot by Department of Homeland Security officers in Minneapolis, has revealed the profound emotional toll of his son's highly publicized death. Michael Pretti told The New York Times that he must mute the television and cover his eyes whenever coverage of the January 24 incident airs, as the ubiquitous footage of his son's final moments continues to haunt him and his wife, Susan.
A Father's Grief and the Search for Truth
Michael Pretti described his son as an "exceptionally kind, caring man" whose passion for his Minneapolis community led him to participate in an anti-ICE protest. Footage from that day shows Alex with his phone in hand, appearing to protect other demonstrators while interacting with federal officers. Within moments, he was pinned to the pavement, had his lawfully owned gun snatched by an officer, and was shot ten times as onlookers screamed in horror.
"It's so clear as to what happened," Michael stated, emphasizing that the video captures the reality of his son's killing. Despite the trauma, he believes the footage is crucial for understanding the events.
Family Remembers a Compassionate Son
Susan Pretti, Alex's mother, expressed her devastation, saying, "He's my first born. He's the one that made me a mother. There was no reason he should have died that day." Michael simply agreed with his wife, adding, "No." The couple recounted their son's horror at the crackdown in Minneapolis since late November under the Trump administration, with Alex questioning, "Mom, they're kidnapping kids. Why would anybody do that?"
In their final conversations, the Prettis warned Alex to be careful after he mentioned a confrontation with federal agents on January 13. Video from that incident shows Alex spitting at an agent and kicking a patrol vehicle's taillight before being tackled and briefly detained, while appearing to carry a handgun. The family said Alex downplayed the event, only mentioning he was injured but fine.
Political Fallout and Investigations
Following Alex's death, Trump administration officials branded him a domestic terrorist who "tried to murder federal agents," citing the earlier confrontation. The Prettis denounced these claims as "sickening lies," and their attorney, Steven Schleicher, argued that "nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing." Schleicher previously served as a special prosecutor in the murder trial of the Minneapolis police officer who shot George Floyd.
The White House has since walked back the claims, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller admitting he called Alex an "assassin" in haste before all facts were available. The Department of Justice is now investigating whether Alex's civil rights were violated, and Minnesota authorities have vowed to cooperate with federal agencies to review the shooting.
Seeking Accountability and Closure
Drew Evans, superintendent of Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, stated that a "cooperative approach helps ensure Minnesotans can trust the outcome of this review." Local authorities have collected witness statements, physical evidence, and video footage. The Pretti family, through Schleicher, seeks "facts and accountability," particularly regarding Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, who shot their son.
Michael reflected on Alex's final act, saying, "His last act on Earth, his last thought, was to help this woman," referring to his efforts to protect demonstrators. Susan added, "It's who he was every day. He's the same Alex he always was." As the investigation continues, the family grapples with their loss while pushing for transparency in a case that has sparked national attention and debate over federal law enforcement actions.
