Micayla Pretti has honored her brother, Alex Pretti, who was tragically killed by federal immigration agents, and has called on leaders to prevent further loss of ‘innocent lives’.
On January 24, Alex Pretti was shot by federal immigration agents on the streets of Minneapolis.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the agent acted in self-defense when shooting the 37-year-old intensive care nurse, alleging Pretti was armed with a handgun. However, video footage from the incident suggests Pretti was holding a mobile phone, not a weapon.
Eyewitness accounts also contradict the claims made by officials.
Micayla, Alex’s sister, has issued a statement commemorating her ‘kind’ and ‘generous’ brother and asking two powerful questions.
She expressed her sentiments, as reported by CBS News: “Alex was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into.
“He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe. But most importantly, he was my brother. I had the privilege of being his little sister for 32 years.”
Continuing her statement, Micayla said: “I will never be able to hug him, laugh with him, or cry to him again because of those thugs—and that is a pain no words can fully capture.”
She reflected on Alex’s ambition to ‘make a difference in this world’ and the tragedy that he ‘won’t be here to witness the impact he was making’.
“Through his work at the VA caring for the sickest patients, and passion to advance cancer research, he touched more lives than he probably ever realized. All Alex ever wanted was to help someone—anyone. Even in his very last moments on this earth, he was simply trying to do just that,” she added.
In addition to thanking those who have supported their family and paid tribute to her ‘hero’ brother, Micayla asked two crucial questions.
The questions were: “When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?”
Her statement concluded: “Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth. He would be very proud.”
Her comments were made after the Pretti family released a joint statement expressing both their sorrow and anger.
The family stated: “We are heartbroken but also very angry. 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.
“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.
“Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.”