The parents of a Minneapolis man killed by Border Patrol agents reflected on the incident in a Sunday statement while ripping the Trump administration for demonizing their son.
Alex Pretti was shot and killed while attempting to help a woman who fell during anti-immigration protests in Minneapolis. Authorities said the shooting was justified, alleging that Pretti approached them with a “9mm semi-automatic” handgun.
However, video footage and bystander testimony has conflicted with federal officials’ narrative.
“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,” the parents said in a statement posted to X by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
“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,” they added.
The parents continued, “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.”
Former President Obama and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz were also left shocked by the shooting, which follows the death of Renee Good at the hands of federal immigration authorities earlier this year.
“The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault,” Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama wrote in a statement on the social platform X.
“Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job. But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety. That’s not what we’re seeing in Minnesota. In fact, we’re seeing the opposite,” they added.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said officials will review footage of Pretti’s death.
“Every video will be analyzed, everything will be looked at, and that’s part of the answers that I can’t speak to. … But this happened in seconds,” she said in a statement, as reported by NBC News.
