A newly published video shows Alex Pretti in an altercation with federal agents in Minneapolis less than two weeks before he was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol officers.
The video was published by The News Moment on Wednesday, Jan. 28. It was filmed on Jan. 13 — 11 days before Pretti was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol officers on Jan. 24. He was 37.
A representative for Pretti’s family confirmed to CNN, CBS News and NBC News that Pretti is shown in the video.
“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,” Steve Schleicher, the attorney for the Pretti family, said in a statement. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”
In the clip, the Wisconsin-born medical professional is seen approaching a government vehicle at what appears to be a protest.
Wearing brown and tan winter clothing, he appears to shout at the people inside an SUV and strikes the vehicle with his feet. After a taillight is broken, the individuals inside exit the vehicle and come into contact with him.
An unidentified agent with a mask covering his face grabs Pretti and appears to force him to the ground. The camera shakes as additional agents move in and surround the scene.
A Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News, CBS News and NBC News that officials are aware of the video. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to The News Moment, federal agents drove away shortly after the incident captured on video.
On the day he died, Pretti became the second U.S. citizen killed by federal forces in Minnesota this month, following the death of Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7.
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DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously said U.S. Border Patrol officers were conducting “a targeted operation” against “an illegal alien wanted for violent assault” when they encountered Pretti on Jan. 24.
McLaughlin said Pretti, described as a lawful gun owner with a permit, “approached” officers while armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” as they attempted to disarm him.
Witness videos shared from the scene have disputed parts of that account, including footage in which Pretti appears not to be armed at the time he was shot. Others who were present said he was helping a woman from the ground moments before he was pepper-sprayed and shot multiple times.
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His family later released a statement rejecting the agency’s version of events as “sickening lies.”
On Monday, Jan. 26, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) shared a tribute to Pretti, saying the organization was “heartbroken and alarmed” that a member of their community had been shot and killed.
“Our sympathies are with Mr. Pretti’s family, friends, co-workers, and students who remember him as compassionate, ethical, and committed to helping others — values we hold dear as nurses,” the statement said.
The organization added that it would continue “to rally behind advocacy efforts grounded in health, justice, and compassion.”
