Alex Pretti, 37, was fatally shot by federal agents during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis on January 24. Now, the official cause of death has been revealed with some disturbing details.
Alex Pretti was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24. He stood among a group of protesters with a phone in his hand before being tackled to the ground. Some moments later, several gunshots were heard.
Recollections of what happened varied widely, with several members of the Trump administration defending the agent’s action. Pretti was called an “assassin” and “domestic terrorist” by administration officials.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told 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.”
Pretti’s family issued a statement shortly after, saying the administration was lying.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
Alex Pretti cause of death confirmed
The family concluded, “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”
Now, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office has released the results of the inquiry into Alex Pretti’s death. Per the medical examiner’s report, obtained by People Magazine, the cause of death was listed as “multiple gunshot wounds,” and the manner of death was listed as “homicide.” He died in the emergency room at Hennepin Healthcare.
Moreover, the report noted that Pretti was “shot by law enforcement officer(s).” Moreover, no other “significant conditions” that could have contributed to his death were listed.
While Alex Pretti was mourned by many, a video resurfaced of the ICU nurse 11 days before he was killed, where he had an altercation with federal agents. He was seen kicking a federal vehicle before an agent pushed him to the ground.
In a statement, the attorney for the Pretti family, Steve Schleicher, said, “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. Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”
Investigations launched
The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division launched an investigation into Alex Pretti’s death on January 30, NPR reported. State authorities in Minnesota “haven’t ruled out” bringing charges against the involved agents.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched its own investigation into the fatal shooting.
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