New Alex Pretti Footage Just Shattered Liberal Narrative of ICE Shooting

In the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti — a Minneapolis ICU nurse killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation — newly surfaced video footage is rattling public discourse and intensifying controversy over what actually happened. The previously unseen clips appear to contradict some early claims from government officials and have sparked renewed debate over federal enforcement tactics, civilian safety, and media narratives surrounding the incident.

What the New Footage Shows

On January 13, 2026, 11 days before his fatal shooting, newly released video shows Pretti engaged in a confrontation with federal agents in Minneapolis. In the footage, he is seen shouting at agents, spitting toward them, and kicking the taillight of a federal vehicle before officers tackle him to the ground and use crowd control measures, including gas, to disperse the scene. A handgun is visible in his waistband in the earlier altercation, though he never reaches for it or uses it in the clip.

Supporters of Pretti argue that this earlier incident has no direct relevance to the later fatal shooting on January 24, when Border Patrol agents fired multiple shots, killing him during another enforcement action in Minneapolis.

Government Narrative vs. Video Evidence

Federal authorities initially claimed that Pretti posed a threat during the fatal encounter, suggesting he “approached officers with a handgun.” However, a preliminary internal review by U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not mention him brandishing a firearm at the time of the shooting, and video analysis shows that the weapon had been removed from his person prior to him being shot.

Additionally, some bystander videos of the shooting itself appear to contradict descriptions by officials that Pretti presented an imminent threat at the moment of the firing.

How the New Footage Is Being Interpreted

The emergence of this video has disrupted how different communities are interpreting Pretti’s death:

Critics of federal enforcement say the video doesn’t justify a later, deadly response — emphasizing that Pretti was legally carrying a firearm and was not actively threatening agents at the time he was shot. Media commentators and some legal analysts have highlighted that past behavior doesn’t legally justify the use of lethal force in a separate incident.

Law enforcement supporters argue that earlier confrontations help contextualize the tense environment officers were operating in and emphasize the dangers agents face during volatile protests.

Family and civil rights advocates insist the 13 January incident was unrelated to the killing and that portraying Pretti’s earlier actions as justification for his death misframes the fatal engagement.

National Reaction and Protests

The death of Pretti has already sparked widespread protests in Minneapolis and beyond, with demonstrators calling for accountability and changes to federal immigration enforcement policies. Prior to his killing, other protesters, including Renée Good, were also fatally shot during federal operations, escalating tensions and public scrutiny.

Public officials from both parties and community leaders have weighed in, with some demanding transparency and de‑escalation, while others defend agents acting in dangerous conditions.

Why This Matters

This controversy comes at a fraught time for immigration enforcement policy and public trust in law enforcement:

The footage complicates the government’s messaging and counters earlier official statements about Pretti’s threat level at the time of his death.

It fuels a broader national debate over the use of force by ICE and Border Patrol, particularly in urban areas.

Protests and political reactions continue to illustrate deep fractures in public opinion over federal authority, civil liberties, and accountability.

As investigations proceed, and more footage and reports are analyzed, the Alex Pretti case is rapidly becoming a major flashpoint in ongoing discussions about immigration policy, policing tactics, and media narratives in high‑profile enforcement actions.