🚨 BREAKING: Shocking new video footage just dropped online… and it could change EVERYTHING about Alex Pretti’s de-ath 😱🔥

You know the official story: Border Patrol says he “approached with a 9mm handgun” and “violently resisted,” forcing them to fire in self-defense.

But watch this viral clip frame-by-frame: Pretti’s hands are EMPTY—one holding his phone, the other raised—while agents wrestle him down.

Then… an agent pulls the handgun RIGHT FROM HIS WAISTBAND, secures it, and walks away with it.

Mere SECONDS later? Up to 10 shots ring out.

The video that’s rocking the nation right now. You NEED to see it for yourself.

Newly circulated video footage from the January 24, 2026, fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti has gone viral online, showing a federal agent removing a handgun from Pretti’s waistband moments before other agents opened fire, according to analyses by major news outlets including The Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, and The New York Times.

The videos, captured by bystanders from multiple angles and verified by journalists, appear to show Pretti’s hands visible and empty—one holding a cellphone—during initial physical contact with U.S. Border Patrol agents. An agent is then seen emerging from the scuffle holding what officials identified as Pretti’s 9mm semiautomatic handgun, which had been concealed on his person. Less than a second later, shots were fired, with reports indicating up to 10 rounds discharged in rapid succession.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially described the incident as self-defense, stating that Pretti “approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun” during an immigration enforcement operation and “violently resisted” efforts to disarm him. DHS officials, including Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, suggested Pretti may have intended to inflict “maximum damage” on law enforcement. However, the emerging bystander videos have prompted widespread scrutiny, with experts and media investigations questioning whether Pretti posed an immediate threat after the weapon was secured.

Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, had a valid Minnesota permit to carry a concealed firearm and no criminal record, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. He was participating in protests against federal immigration raids in the city, which have intensified amid a nationwide crackdown ordered by the Trump administration. The shooting marked the second fatal incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis that month, following the death of Renee Nicole Good on January 7.

Multiple verified videos show the sequence of events unfolding around 9 a.m. on a south Minneapolis street. Pretti appears to have been recording agents with his phone as they conducted an operation targeting an undocumented individual wanted for domestic assault. Witnesses and footage indicate Pretti intervened after an agent pushed a woman to the ground and deployed pepper spray. Agents then physically engaged Pretti, forcing him to the ground amid a struggle involving as many as eight officers.

In close-up frames from CBS News-obtained video, an agent is visible removing the handgun from Pretti’s waistband area while he was pinned. The Washington Post’s analysis noted the agent emerged from the group holding the weapon before shots were fired. ABC News constructed a minute-by-minute timeline showing Pretti recording agents prior to the physical altercation, with no evidence in the footage of him brandishing the gun or reaching for it aggressively.

The New York Times Visual Investigations team synchronized bystander videos and concluded that Pretti’s hands remained visible and non-threatening during much of the encounter. Their frame-by-frame assessment described the use of force as raising questions about adherence to standard protocols, noting that lethal force was applied after the weapon appeared secured.

DHS has acknowledged the existence of body-worn camera footage from multiple agents, including those from the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), and stated it is under review by federal investigators. A preliminary report sent to Congress indicated two officers fired their weapons but did not specify that Pretti reached for his gun post-disarming. The agency has preserved the footage and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.

Pretti’s family has rejected the initial DHS account, calling it “sickening lies” in a statement. They pointed to the videos showing Pretti holding his phone with one hand raised while being pepper-sprayed and pushed. “Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked,” they said, urging the public to seek the truth about their son, described as a compassionate caregiver dedicated to veterans.

Colleagues at the Minneapolis VA remembered Pretti as an empathetic professional who transitioned from research to nursing to work directly with patients. He had previously delivered a heartfelt final salute to a deceased Air Force veteran, a moment captured on video that resurfaced after his death and highlighted his commitment to honoring service members.

The viral spread of the footage has amplified calls for accountability. Protests continued in Minneapolis and other cities, with health care workers, unions like the American Federation of Government Employees, and veterans’ groups expressing solidarity. Vigils featured candles and memorials honoring Pretti alongside Good.

President Donald Trump commented on the incident, rejecting characterizations of a “pullback” in Minneapolis operations while announcing plans to reduce the federal presence slightly for de-escalation. He also requested the departure of Bovino from his command role in the city amid backlash.

Use-of-force experts consulted by outlets like The New York Times and PBS News questioned aspects of the agents’ actions, including the timing of lethal force and communication during the struggle. Former law enforcement officials noted that once a weapon is secured, the justification for deadly force typically diminishes unless an imminent threat persists.

Investigations are ongoing, with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations involved. Concerns have been raised about evidence handling, including the chain of custody for Pretti’s firearm and agents’ weapons, though DHS maintains all relevant materials are preserved.

The incident has reignited national debate over federal immigration enforcement tactics, use of force by agents, and the right to protest or record law enforcement activities. Pretti’s status as a licensed gun owner exercising First Amendment rights while legally armed has added layers to the discussion in a state with permissive carry laws.

For many observers, the viral videos represent a pivotal piece of evidence that could reshape public understanding of the events. As bodycam footage awaits full release and analysis, the case continues to draw intense scrutiny from lawmakers, media, and the public.