New videos show Alex Pretti confronted federal agents days before fatal shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) – Newly released videos show Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis nurse, being forcibly taken to the ground by federal immigration officers during a protest 11 days before he was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents. The footage has intensified national debate over the circumstances surrounding his death, while raising fresh questions about federal enforcement tactics and use of force.

The videos, published this week by local and national media, capture a brief but chaotic confrontation between Pretti and immigration officers amid a noisy protest scene. They do not show him threatening officers with a weapon, though a handgun appears visible in his waistband as he moves away.

Pretti’s killing, which occurred less than two weeks later, remains under federal review. Civil rights advocates and his family’s legal representatives say the new footage underscores the need for a transparent investigation rather than providing justification for the shooting.

Confrontation captured on video days before shooting

The earlier incident occurred on Jan. 13 during an immigration-related protest in Minneapolis. In two separate videos, Pretti is seen shouting at federal officers and damaging the taillight of a government vehicle before being tackled to the ground.

The footage shows an officer exiting a dark SUV with flashing lights and grabbing Pretti by the chest. Pretti’s winter coat comes off during the struggle, and several masked officers move in as onlookers shout from nearby. Tear gas is later deployed as officers withdraw from the area.

At one point, as Pretti turns away from the camera, what appears to be a handgun is visible tucked into his waistband. The videos do not show him reaching for the weapon, and it is unclear whether the officers noticed it at the time.

A person familiar with the incident confirmed to The Associated Press that the man in the videos is Pretti and that he later told his family about the encounter. The person spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.

Renewed attention following public reaction

The videos quickly circulated online, drawing commentary from across the political spectrum. Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son, shared one of the clips on X, writing sarcastically, “Just a peaceful legal observer.”

The renewed attention has reignited debate over Pretti’s death and the broader conduct of federal immigration officers during enforcement operations. His supporters argue the footage illustrates aggressive tactics rather than criminal intent.

Pretti, 37, worked as an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Friends and colleagues have described him as deeply engaged in civic issues, particularly around immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Family attorney rejects any link to shooting

Attorneys for Pretti’s family said the earlier altercation has no bearing on the legality or justification of the fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 24.

Steve Schleicher, a Minneapolis-based lawyer representing Pretti’s parents, said in a written statement that the videos should not be used to excuse what followed days later.

“A week before Alex was gunned down in the street — despite posing no threat to anyone — he was violently assaulted by a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents,” Schleicher said. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing.”

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations is reviewing the newly released videos and the earlier incident. Officials have not said whether any of the officers involved were present during the fatal shooting.

Details of the fatal encounter

Pretti was shot and killed on a sidewalk in Minneapolis while recording immigration officers on his phone. Bystander video shows an officer pushing him before several officers take him to the ground.

During the struggle, one officer can be heard shouting that Pretti had a gun. Two officers then fired their weapons, killing him. Pretti was legally licensed to carry the firearm.

Multiple videos of the shooting show that Pretti did not brandish the gun or strike any officer. He was holding his phone when he was shot in the back while on the ground.

Trump administration officials initially said Pretti had approached officers with a gun and attacked them, claims that were not supported by video evidence reviewed by news organizations.

Witness accounts from the protest scene

One of the earlier videos was filmed by Max Shapiro, a Minneapolis attorney who said he went to the area after learning through a Signal chat that immigration officers were conducting enforcement nearby.

“The observers were pretty distraught and screaming,” Shapiro said in an interview. He described officers attempting to move people back, though their commands were largely drowned out by whistles and shouts.

Another video, filmed by The News Movement, shows Pretti wearing a baseball cap and glasses, yelling at federal vehicles and appearing to spit toward one SUV before kicking out its taillight as it drove slowly away.

Shapiro said he began recording shortly after the taillight was broken. His footage captures officers exiting the vehicle and initiating the physical confrontation.

After officers withdrew, Shapiro is seen approaching Pretti and hugging him, asking whether he was all right. Pretti responds calmly and checks on others nearby, asking if everyone is safe.

Broader implications under review

Civil liberties advocates say the sequence of events — from the protest confrontation to the fatal shooting — highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and public oversight.

Shapiro said he expects some viewers will use the videos to portray Pretti negatively but urged people to consider the broader context.

“He seemed like someone who cared deeply about what was happening to the people caught up in the deportation push,” Shapiro said. “There has to be a better way to go about this.”

Federal authorities have not released a timeline for the completion of their review. Pretti’s family has called for an independent investigation, saying clarity and accountability are essential to restoring public trust.