Multiple videos captured by witnesses from various angles are casting serious doubt on the official account provided by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, in Minneapolis. The footage, analyzed by independent experts and shared across media outlets, appears to contradict key elements of the narrative released by federal authorities, prompting renewed calls for transparency, an independent investigation, and accountability from the involved Border Patrol agents.

Pretti was killed on January 20, 2026, during an immigration enforcement operation in a residential neighborhood. According to DHS statements, agents from a U.S. Border Patrol tactical unit were serving a warrant when Pretti approached them aggressively, allegedly brandishing a firearm. Officials claimed he ignored commands to stop and drop the weapon, forcing agents to fire in self-defense. The initial press release emphasized that Pretti posed an immediate threat, justifying the use of lethal force. No body camera footage has been released, citing ongoing internal reviews, but DHS maintained that the agents followed protocol and that Pretti’s actions left them no choice.

Witness videos tell a different story. At least five separate cellphone recordings, taken from nearby apartments, passing vehicles, and pedestrians, have surfaced since the incident. When pieced together, they provide a multi-angle view of the confrontation that unfolded over less than 90 seconds. One video, shot from a second-floor window directly across the street, shows Pretti walking toward the agents with his hands visible at his sides—one holding what appears to be a cellphone, the other empty. He seems agitated, gesturing emphatically, but no weapon is visible in his grip. As agents shout commands, Pretti stops briefly, raising his phone as if to record or show something. Seconds later, shots ring out, and he collapses without any apparent lunge or aggressive advance.

Another angle, captured by a driver stopped at a nearby intersection, offers a wider view. It shows the tactical team—wearing unmarked gear—approaching a vehicle parked outside a home. Pretti emerges from the sidewalk, calling out audibly: “What’s going on here? You can’t just—” before being cut off by agents’ shouts. The video’s audio picks up overlapping commands: “Stop right there!” and “Hands up!” Pretti complies partially, lifting his free hand while keeping the phone raised. No gun is seen being drawn by him. The shots follow almost immediately after, with Pretti falling backward onto the pavement. The driver’s footage also captures agents surrounding his body post-shooting, with one appearing to kick away the phone from his hand.

A third video, from a pedestrian filming vertically on their phone, provides the closest perspective. It starts mid-confrontation, showing Pretti standing about 15 feet from the agents. His posture is defensive but not charging—arms out to his sides, phone in right hand, left palm open. “I’m just a neighbor!” he yells. Agents respond with “Drop it!”—but it’s unclear what “it” refers to. Pretti looks confused, glancing at his phone, before the first shot hits him in the chest. He staggers, and two more rounds follow. The pedestrian’s video ends abruptly as they duck for cover, but the audio captures panicked screams from bystanders.

These videos, when synchronized by time stamps and analyzed by forensic experts, reveal inconsistencies with the DHS account. Ballistics reviews suggest the shots were fired from multiple agents, contradicting initial claims of a single shooter acting in self-defense. No firearm was recovered from Pretti’s body or the scene, despite DHS insisting he was armed. Witnesses in affidavits filed with civil rights groups claim Pretti was holding only his phone, attempting to record the operation, which involved what appeared to be an aggressive raid on a nearby residence.

Pretti, an ICU nurse at the local VA hospital, was not the target of the warrant. He lived two doors down and had stepped outside after hearing commotion. Neighbors described him as a kind, community-oriented man who often helped elderly residents and volunteered at local clinics. His death marks the second fatal shooting by federal officers in Minneapolis that month, fueling protests and demands for federal agents to withdraw from the city. Demonstrators have gathered outside DHS offices, chanting “No justice, no peace” and holding signs with Pretti’s photo.

DHS officials have stood by their version, citing “ongoing threats” in the area and the need for operational security. A spokesperson said: “Agents responded to an armed individual who refused commands. We regret the loss of life but must prioritize officer safety.” However, the videos have drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and civil rights advocates. “The footage doesn’t show a threat—it shows a man with a phone,” said an attorney representing Pretti’s family. “This looks like a panicked overreaction at best, or something worse.”

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has taken over the investigation, reviewing all available footage and conducting witness interviews. Pretti’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against DHS, alleging excessive force and failure to de-escalate. They’ve also called for the release of any body camera footage, which DHS claims was not activated due to the “rapidly evolving situation.”

Community leaders, including local pastors and activists, have organized vigils for Pretti, drawing hundreds who mourn a dedicated nurse cut down in his own neighborhood. Protests have escalated, with clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement leading to several arrests. Governor Tim Walz has urged calm while promising a thorough probe: “We need answers, not excuses. Minnesotans deserve to know what happened.”

The videos have also sparked broader debates about federal overreach, immigration enforcement tactics, and the militarization of agents in urban areas. Border Patrol’s presence in Minneapolis, far from any border, has been questioned—part of a surge in interior operations under current policies. Critics argue that tactical units trained for border scenarios are ill-equipped for community interactions, leading to tragedies like this.

Pretti’s colleagues at the VA hospital have shared tributes, describing him as a compassionate caregiver who worked extra shifts during the pandemic. “He saved lives every day,” one nurse said. “And now his own was taken without reason.” A memorial fund in his name has raised over $100,000 for healthcare workers’ families.

As the videos circulate, pressure mounts on DHS to address the discrepancies. Independent analysis by outlets like CNN and Hearst Television has synchronized the angles, creating a composite view that further undermines the official narrative. One expert noted: “The third voice in the audio isn’t clear, but the visuals are—Pretti wasn’t armed, wasn’t charging. This demands a full inquiry.”

For Pretti’s loved ones, the footage is both a gift and a curse—proof of his final moments, but a painful replay of a preventable loss. His sister spoke at a vigil: “Alex was trying to do the right thing, recording what looked wrong. And they killed him for it.” The family vows to pursue justice, hoping the videos will force accountability.

The shooting of Alex Pretti isn’t just a local tragedy—it’s a flashpoint. As more angles emerge, the questions multiply: Why the quick trigger? Where’s the body cam? And how many more incidents will it take before change comes? The videos demand answers; the public demands reform. Pretti’s story, captured from every side, won’t fade quietly.