Witness Videos Raise Questions About Shooting That Killed Alex Pretti
A series of bystander videos and eyewitness testimonies have emerged from the fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, revealing dramatic contradictions with federal officials’ account and sparking intense public scrutiny. As authorities grapple with conflicting narratives, the role of video evidence in shaping public perception — and official investigations — has become central to a wider debate about law enforcement conduct and transparency.
The Shooting That Shocked Minneapolis
On January 24, 2026, Pretti, a registered ICU nurse for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who lived in Minneapolis and had a clean legal and professional record, was fatally shot during a federal immigration enforcement operation involving U.S. Border Patrol agents. Officials initially claimed Pretti had approached with a firearm and posed an imminent threat, justifying the use of lethal force.
However, almost immediately after the shooting, bystander videos began circulating on social media and through news outlets — including footage from local witnesses — that cast doubt on key elements of the federal narrative.
What the Videos Show
Several clips from different angles show Pretti walking near the edge of a street shortly before the shooting, holding what appears to be a mobile phone — not a weapon — while facing federal agents. As one video shows, he appears to be attempting to help a woman who was pushed by an agent before he was forcibly taken down by multiple officers.
Another widely shared clip includes noises and reactions that suggest at least a half‑dozen agents surrounded Pretti before shots were fired, after wrestling him to the ground. In some footage, an officer can be seen withdrawing what appears to be a handgun from near Pretti’s waistband right before he is shot — a moment that raises urgent questions about the sequence of events and who ultimately controlled the weapon at the time shots were fired.
Official Account vs. Eyewitness Evidence
The Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the shooting, asserting Pretti approached officers with a firearm and resisted disarmament. But witness accounts contradict major aspects of this assertion. Several individuals at the scene — including people who knew Pretti — say he was not aggressive and did not brandish a weapon.
One witness told People that Pretti was unarmed with his hands up, holding a phone and trying to assist a woman after she had been shoved by an agent when officers tackled him and shot him multiple times at close range. The same witness said they submitted video evidence and expressed fear for their safety, alleging agents pursued others who were present.
Another witness described seeing multiple agents pin Pretti to the ground before the first shots were fired — a moment not accounted for in initial official statements. These accounts have been highlighted by local officials and amplified by independent media outlets covering the incident.
Contradictions Fuel Public Outcry
The discrepancies between official claims and public footage have fueled widespread protests and public anger in Minneapolis and beyond. Critics argue that the videos undermine the government’s portrayal of Pretti as a threat and instead show him engaged in peaceful, nonviolent behavior — including recording federal agents with his phone, a move protected by the First Amendment.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the videos “sickening” and demanded accountability, while civil rights groups and community leaders have likewise called for an independent, transparent investigation into multiple shootings by federal immigration agents in the community.
Investigations and Legal Battles
The conflicting evidence has prompted multiple investigations. The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations division, the FBI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are all reported to be reviewing the shooting. However, Minnesota officials have complained that they were denied access to the crime scene and video evidence, leading to legal action to prevent potential tampering or concealment of critical material.
Court hearings have recently focused on whether body‑camera footage and other media will be preserved and potentially shared with state investigators. Federal authorities insist evidence is being preserved, but have resisted full transparency with state officials — a move that has deepened distrust among local leaders.
Political and Social Consequences
The role of witness videos in this case has become a national flashpoint, reigniting debates about federal immigration enforcement tactics, use of force protocols, and civil liberties. In both local and national arenas, officials from across the political spectrum have weighed in — some defending the agents involved, others demanding independent inquiry and accountability.
At the same time, the unprecedented public circulation of video footage has raised broader questions about how law enforcement narratives are challenged in real time by citizen recordings, and whether traditional command‑center accounts can coexist with decentralized digital evidence.
Family and Community Response
Pretti’s family, alongside friends and colleagues, has strongly disputed the federal narrative. They describe him as a compassionate and dedicated nurse who was trying to help others when he was killed. Their calls for truth and justice have resonated with thousands of supporters, as evidenced by a widely shared fundraiser that has raised substantial support for the family in the days following the shooting.
Family statements and attorney representations have pushed back against characterizations of Pretti as dangerous or violent, pointing to videos that show him unarmed and asserting that initial federal claims distorted what actually happened.
Rising Protests and Ongoing Tensions
The release and analysis of witness videos have contributed to heightened protests in Minnesota, with organizers calling for federal agents to be removed from the city and for policy reforms to prevent future tragedies. These demonstrations have taken place amid ongoing concerns about other fatal encounters between federal agents and civilians in the same region.
Some local leaders have even called for an end to broad federal enforcement operations, citing these videos as evidence of systemic issues in how force is applied during immigration actions.
Conclusion: What the Videos Mean for Accountability
The emergence of bystander and witness video contradicting official statements about the shooting that killed Alex Pretti has transformed what initially appeared to be a straightforward enforcement incident into a deeply contested and politically charged matter.
As evidence continues to surface and investigations progress — and as tensions between federal and local authorities persist — the videos remain central to understanding not just what happened, but why it happened and what it signifies for policing, transparency, and public trust in government.
The controversy over Pretti’s death highlights how modern citizen documentation can challenge established power structures and force a public reckoning with government narratives in life‑and‑death situations.
