URGENT UPDATE: Witnesses are challenging official accounts following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on July 15, 2023. A civilian witness and a pediatrician have provided sworn statements that contradict claims made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
According to the witness, moments before the shooting, Pretti was merely filming the scene with his camera while other observers were being pushed back by ICE agents, who were reportedly threatening them with pepper spray. “The man stayed in the street, filming as others were forced backward,” the witness stated. “I didn’t see him reach for or hold a gun.” The witness described a chaotic scene where agents used excessive force, stating, “I didn’t see him touch any of them — he wasn’t even turned toward them.”
The shooting occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale federal immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota. As tensions escalated, agents allegedly shoved a woman to the ground, prompting Pretti to attempt to assist her. The witness claims that multiple agents then forced Pretti to the ground before opening fire. “They just started shooting him. They shot him so many times,” he added.
A nearby resident and licensed pediatrician also witnessed the aftermath of the shooting. After hearing gunfire, he rushed outside to provide medical aid but faced resistance from ICE agents. “They repeatedly asked for my physician’s license, which I obviously didn’t have,” the doctor recalled. He noted that none of the agents were performing CPR on Pretti, who was in critical condition.
After being allowed to assess Pretti, the doctor observed multiple gunshot wounds. “I was confused as to why the victim was on his side,” he noted. “Standard practice is to check for a pulse and administer CPR.” He ultimately began CPR until emergency medical crews arrived.
The DHS has defended its officers, stating, “The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted.” They claimed that an agent fired in self-defense fearing for his life. However, video evidence circulating online appears to contradict this narrative, showing Pretti on the ground surrounded by agents before shots were fired. At least one video reportedly shows an officer removing a firearm from Pretti before another officer discharged their weapon.
Pretti’s family has confirmed that he owned a handgun and had a permit to carry it, adding to the complexity of the situation.
As the investigation unfolds, officials are under increasing scrutiny. The community is calling for transparency and accountability regarding the actions taken by federal officers during this tragic incident. The ongoing discourse raises significant questions about the use of force in immigration enforcement operations and the protection of civil liberties.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR NEXT: The situation remains fluid as more evidence is expected to surface. Community leaders and activists are urging for a thorough investigation into the shooting, while the DHS faces mounting pressure to clarify its policies and practices regarding immigration enforcement. This incident has ignited a broader discussion about police conduct and accountability in the context of federal immigration operations, making it a pivotal moment for both local and national discourse.
Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent matter.
