“They are spreading lies.” – Alex Pretti’s Family Fires Back After Watching Viral Video of His Shooting: “What You See vs. What DHS Claims Doesn’t Match” 😡🔫

Federal officials called him a “domestic terrorist” armed and ready to kill cops. A military-style pistol, optics, high-capacity mag—imminent threat, self-defense justified.

But his family watched the same bystander videos exploding online… and they’re not staying silent.

Full details:

The family of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in south Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, has publicly rejected the federal government’s portrayal of the incident, accusing authorities of disseminating falsehoods that contradict widely circulated bystander videos.

In statements to local outlets including KARE 11 and national publications such as The New York Times and AP News, Pretti’s relatives described the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Trump administration’s labeling of their son as a “domestic terrorist” as “sickening lies” and “brutally unfair.” They emphasized that video footage shows Pretti being physically subdued and disarmed before officers fired multiple rounds, challenging claims that he violently resisted arrest, reached for a holstered firearm, and posed an imminent deadly threat.

Pretti was killed during what DHS described as an immigration enforcement operation in the Whittier neighborhood. Officials alleged he resisted, attempted to access a military-style pistol equipped with optics and a high-capacity magazine (up to 51 rounds), and lacked visible permit or identification for the weapon. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other administration figures characterized the encounter as an act of domestic terrorism, suggesting Pretti intended to attack law enforcement.

Multiple bystander recordings, however, present a conflicting sequence. Videos reviewed by CNN, ABC News, CBS News, and The Washington Post depict agents tackling Pretti, wrestling him to the ground, and appearing to secure or remove the handgun from his possession before discharging approximately 10 shots in under five seconds, according to forensic audio analyses. Eyewitnesses and family members assert he did not fire at officers or pose a threat after being restrained.

Pretti, a U.S. citizen and legal gun owner employed as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was remembered by family and colleagues as compassionate and dedicated. His parents told media he “cared deeply about people” and “wanted to make a difference in the world.” A veteran’s son recounted Pretti’s supportive care during end-of-life moments, including reading a final salute. Neighbors and coworkers described him as calm, non-violent, and focused on helping others, with no prior criminal record or documented extremist affiliations.

The incident marks the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis within weeks, following the January 7 death of Renee Nicole Good during an ICE-related traffic stop. Both cases have intensified scrutiny of enforcement tactics in the city, which has sanctuary policies and a history of tension with federal immigration operations. Protests erupted immediately after Pretti’s shooting, with demonstrators demanding independent probes and criticizing the rapid “terrorist” designation as politicized and unsubstantiated.

A federal judge granted a restraining order against DHS, prohibiting the destruction of evidence including videos, body-worn camera footage (if available), and forensic materials. The FBI and Department of Justice are leading the investigation, standard protocol for federal officer-involved fatalities. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and local leaders have called for transparency, with some accusing federal officials of undermining the probe through premature accusations.

Family statements highlight profound grief compounded by anger over the portrayal of Pretti. Relatives pushed back against what they called a smear campaign, insisting the videos speak for themselves and do not align with official narratives. “We are heartbroken but also very angry,” Pretti’s parents said in one release, urging focus on facts rather than labels.

Broader context includes ongoing national debates over use of force in federal arrests, immigration enforcement in urban areas, and the implications of labeling U.S. citizens as terrorists in high-profile incidents without completed investigations. Civil rights organizations, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, condemned the shooting as egregious and called for accountability, citing risks to communities from aggressive tactics.

No charges have been filed against the involved agents pending investigation outcomes. DHS maintains the actions were justified self-defense, while critics argue the video evidence warrants closer examination of de-escalation protocols and decision-making.

Pretti’s death has prompted tributes from the medical community and veterans’ groups, underscoring his professional legacy. As protests persist and evidence review continues, the case exemplifies challenges in reconciling conflicting accounts in officer-involved shootings amid polarized public discourse.