New Footage Emerges of Alex Pretti's Confrontation with Federal Agents
Startling new video evidence has surfaced, depicting Alex Pretti engaged in a heated altercation with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, just 11 days before he was fatally shot by officers. The footage, released by The News Movement, captures the intense moments that unfolded at the intersection of East 36th Street and Park Avenue on 13 January.
Details of the Altercation Revealed in Video
In the video, Mr Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, is seen interacting with agents who were blocking a street. As the federal agents begin to drive away from a crowd of onlookers, Mr Pretti appears to spit at their vehicle. He then proceeds to kick the taillight of the vehicle, striking it repeatedly until it becomes dislodged and loose.
In response, an agent exits the vehicle, forcefully grabs Mr Pretti, and pushes him to the ground. During this confrontation, agents deploy tear gas and pepper balls into the surrounding crowd. They continue to restrain Mr Pretti on the ground before he manages to break free from their hold.
Throughout the incident, a holstered handgun is visible behind Mr Pretti's back as he shouts at the retreating officials. A representative for the Pretti family has confirmed to Sky News' US partner network, NBC News, that the individual in the video is indeed Alex Pretti.
Family and Legal Responses to the Footage
Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing the Pretti family, issued a strong statement regarding the newly emerged footage. He emphasised that the violent assault by ICE agents occurred a full week before Mr Pretti's death and could not possibly justify the fatal shooting that took place on 24 January.
"A week before Alex was gunned down in the street - despite posing no threat to anyone - he was violently assaulted by a group of ICE agents," Mr Schleicher stated. "Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24."
A spokesperson for Homeland Security has confirmed to NBC News that their investigations team is currently reviewing the video footage as part of their ongoing inquiry into the incident.
Background and Political Fallout
This confrontation occurred merely four days after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good in her vehicle on nearby Portland Avenue South. Mr Pretti had been actively protesting the presence of ICE agents in Minneapolis following Ms Good's death.
On 24 January, Mr Pretti was shot ten times by two federal officers, leading to significant political repercussions. Top White House officials, including Trump adviser Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have characterised Mr Pretti as a "would-be assassin" due to his possession of a firearm at the time of his death.
However, local officials in Minnesota have clarified that Mr Pretti was legally carrying his handgun under the protections afforded by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution. Former President Donald Trump has appeared to distance himself from the more extreme characterisations, describing the incident as "a very unfortunate incident" while acknowledging that carrying guns in such situations is problematic.
The agents involved in Mr Pretti's death have been placed on administrative leave following Mr Trump's call to "de-escalate" the situation, highlighting the ongoing tensions and investigations surrounding this case.
