Newly released footage has shed light on the events leading up to the fatal shooting of anti-ICE protestor Alex Pretti by a federal officer.
Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot dead on Saturday, January 24, in Minneapolis during protests that erupted after the death of Renee Good earlier this month.
Good, a mother of three, was also killed by a federal immigration officer amid protests against the immigration policies of the Trump administration.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the federal immigration agents claimed they fired in self-defense, alleging that Pretti was armed with a handgun at the time of the incident.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later stated that Pretti was thought to be a lawful gun owner who possessed a carry permit.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin informed the BBC: “The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots.
“Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene.”
However, video footage challenges this account, as there is no clear evidence that Pretti intended to harm ICE officers during the Minneapolis protest on Saturday.
In one video, Pretti is seen holding a phone, not a gun as suggested by DHS, and is pushed to the sidewalk by an ICE agent. Another angle shows him in the road attempting to direct traffic.
An agent is then observed pushing a woman into a snow pile, leading Pretti to offer assistance.
The footage shows the agent pepper-spraying Pretti, and as he tries to help the woman again, more agents arrive, pushing him to the ground.
Additional video angles depict agents striking Pretti, with one clip suggesting a firearm was retrieved from his lower body before shots were fired.
CBS Minnesota reported that at least ten shots were heard.
Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino later alleged that Pretti intended to ‘massacre law enforcement’, but Pretti’s family has urged the public to seek the truth about their son.
They stated: “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.”
Michael Pretti, Alex’s father, characterized his son as someone who ‘cared deeply’ about others.
“He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” Michael said.
“He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street.
“He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.”