A recent incident in Minneapolis involving an ICE shooting has raised serious questions, with videos analyzed by The New York Times appearing to contradict federal accounts. The victim, identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse and American citizen with no criminal record, was reportedly holding a phone, not a weapon, at the time of the shooting. Federal officials initially sought to portray Mr. Pretti as a domestic terrorist intent on harming law enforcement, but emerging video evidence suggests a different narrative. The shooting occurred on a frigid morning in the Whittier neighborhood, escalating tensions in a city already grappling with aggressive federal immigration actions.
Federal authorities claimed Mr. Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was armed and posed a threat. However, the video analysis indicates no sign that he brandished his weapon or that agents were aware of its presence until after he was subdued. Disturbingly, one agent had already disarmed Mr. Pretti before two other agents opened fire, fatally shooting him multiple times while he was on the ground. At least ten shots were reportedly fired, leading to his death. Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Mr. Pretti possessed a legal permit to carry a firearm.
Featured snippet paragraph: The answer to whether the man killed by ICE in Minneapolis was holding a phone or a gun is that video evidence analyzed by The New York Times suggests he was holding a phone and that his concealed weapon was only discovered and removed by agents after he was already on the ground.
The aggressive federal response, including the deployment of tear gas and flash bangs to disperse demonstrators, highlighted the deep-seated anger and distrust in the community. Protesters demanded the arrest of the agents involved, underscoring the charged atmosphere following the incident. While initial reports indicated largely peaceful protests, the situation escalated as dusk approached, prompting the deployment of the National Guard to maintain order.
A vigil for Mr. Pretti in Whittier Park drew over 1,000 attendees despite the harsh subzero temperatures, demonstrating the community’s profound grief and solidarity. Colleagues remembered Mr. Pretti as a dedicated ICU nurse at the Veterans Affairs hospital, describing him as a supportive and friendly individual with a constant smile.
Analysis of video footage posted on social media and verified by The Times shows Mr. Pretti stepping between a woman being pepper-sprayed by an agent and the agent themselves. Subsequently, Mr. Pretti was also pepper-sprayed, and at that moment, he was observed holding a phone in one hand and nothing else in the other. His weapon remained concealed until federal agents located and confiscated it.
In stark contrast to the video evidence, President Trump and other administration officials made unsubstantiated claims that Mr. Pretti intended to attack federal agents. Gregory Bovino, who oversees the president’s Border Patrol operations, alleged that Mr. Pretti was driven by a desire for a “massacre.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the situation appeared to involve an individual aiming to cause “maximum damage.” These assertions directly conflict with the visual evidence captured during the encounter.
Further complicating the investigation, Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, reported that federal agents initially obstructed state investigators from accessing the scene. Evans’s agency resorted to obtaining a search warrant for the public sidewalk but faced continued resistance. Federal officials eventually departed after confrontations with protesters, by which time the demonstrations had grown significantly, preventing state agents from conducting their inquiry.
Federal authorities indicated that the Department of Homeland Security, encompassing ICE and Border Patrol, would lead the shooting investigation, with the FBI providing assistance. However, senior officials within Homeland Security and the Justice Department had already conveyed their belief that Mr. Pretti and local officials bore responsibility for the incident.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly condemned the Trump administration’s actions, accusing them of terrorizing the city and questioning how many more lives would be lost before such operations ceased. This incident followed at least two other fatal shootings by federal agents in the city that month, including the death of Renee Good, 37, on January 7.
Those who knew Mr. Pretti offered glowing tributes, with colleague Ruth Anway highlighting his passion, kindness, and sharp wit. She emphasized his desire to be a “force of good” in the world through his nursing career, a sentiment echoed by many who admired his compassionate nature and dedication to helping others.
The events surrounding the ICE shooting in Minneapolis underscore a critical need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement encounters. The divergence between official narratives and visual evidence necessitates a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice and rebuild trust within the community. The ongoing debate about federal immigration enforcement and its impact on local communities remains a significant concern.
