New Footage Shows Alex Pretti 'Violently Assaulted by a Group of ICE Agents' 2 Weeks Before His Death

A newly released video shows ICU nurse Alex Pretti involved in a physical altercation with federal agents in Minneapolis just 11 days before he was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol officers, reigniting tensions over federal law enforcement tactics in the city.

On January 13, the footage captured by an independent observer depicts Pretti, a 37-year-old Wisconsin-born nurse, approaching a government vehicle during a protest.

Dressed in winter clothing, Pretti appears to shout at the occupants of the SUV and kicks its taillight. The situation escalates as federal agents emerge and wrestle Pretti to the ground, with one agent grabbing him from behind.

The camera shakes, and the scene suggests a violent confrontation. Witnesses confirm that Pretti was unarmed at the time, contradicting initial official claims.

Lawyer Steve Schleicher, representing Pretti's family, told reporters, "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. Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing."

Federal authorities responded to the video, with a Homeland Security spokesperson acknowledging awareness of the footage. The incident concluded with the agents leaving shortly thereafter.

The Star Tribune interviewed Max Shapiro, who filmed the incident, who said, 'He got slammed to the ground pretty hard.' Shapiro then asked Pretti if he was 'OK,' with Pretti responding, 'I'm OK. Are we all OK? Are we all safe?'

Family and community react

Pretti's family lawyer described the altercation as a violent assault and criticised it for justifying the subsequent fatal shooting.

The Pretti family released an official statement, expressing outrage over the official narrative, insisting that nothing in the prior incident warranted lethal force.

'We are heartbroken but also very angry,' the statement reads. 'Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman,' it continued.

The family's representative highlighted that the altercation did not pose a threat to anyone, contrasting sharply with the authorities' account that Pretti was armed and resisting arrest during his death.

'The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed,' it read.

Department of Homeland Secretary, Kristi Noem claimed that Pretti was engaged in domestic 'terrorism' and Vice President JD Vance called Pretti a 'murderer' trying to assassinate fed agents doing their jobs.

The fatal shooting and official accounts

On January 24, U.S. Border Patrol officers shot Pretti during a targeted operation. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Pretti, who was legally permitted to carry a firearm, approached officers armed with a handgun and resisted arrest.

The DHS report claimed Pretti was involved in a violent confrontation and posed a threat, leading to the officers firing their weapons.

However, witnesses at the scene disputed the official explanation. Video footage shows Pretti helping a woman from the ground shortly before he was pepper-sprayed and shot multiple times.

Witnesses and family members described his behaviour as non-threatening, with some asserting he was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

Pretti's death has sparked widespread protests across Minneapolis and beyond.

The incident is the second fatal shooting by federal agents in the city within a month after Renee Nicole Good, intensifying scrutiny of DHS operations. Lawmakers from both parties called for accountability, with some demanding the removal of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Agents placed on leave instead

Following the shooting, two Border Patrol agents involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave. The DHS report indicated that both officers fired their weapons during a scuffle with Pretti.

The agency stated that such measures are standard protocol while investigations proceed. The timeline of the agents' leave remains unclear, with some reports suggesting they were working in different locations during the investigation.