In a recent development surrounding the controversial death of Alex Pretti, new videos have surfaced showing a confrontation between Pretti and federal immigration agents during a protest in Minneapolis on January 13, 2026. The videos depict Pretti aggressively kicking the tail light of a vehicle belonging to the officers before being forcibly taken to the ground by them. Pretti, who was 37 years old and worked as an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, had a visible handgun in his waistband, although there is no evidence from the footage that he reached for it during the altercation.
According to reports, the incident captured in the videos reignited discussions about the circumstances leading to Pretti's fatal shooting by Border Patrol officers just 11 days later. Donald Trump Jr. shared one of the videos on social media, commenting on Pretti’s role as a “peaceful legal observer.” However, Steve Schleicher, an attorney representing Pretti's family, stated that the earlier confrontation with immigration agents did not justify the shooting on January 24, 2026. Schleicher asserted that Pretti posed no threat to anyone and emphasized that the actions taken by ICE agents against him a week prior were unrelated to the circumstances of his death.
The shooting incident has raised concerns regarding the conduct of law enforcement during protests related to immigration enforcement. Eyewitness videos show Pretti shouting at immigration officers and eventually getting physically subdued by several agents. As one officer reportedly spotted Pretti's weapon and shouted, “He’s got a gun,” two officers opened fire, killing him as he lay on the ground while holding his cellphone. The Trump administration quickly condemned Pretti’s actions as an attack on officers, claiming he approached them with a firearm.
The newly released videos originate from two separate sources: one filmed by Max Shapiro, a witness at the protest, and another recorded by The News Movement, an online media organization. The footage illustrates a chaotic scene in which Pretti engages with federal officers while a crowd of observers reacts with emotions ranging from distress to anger, contributing to a tense atmosphere. During the altercation, Pretti initially appears to be confronting officers but shortly finds himself overwhelmed and subdued against the pavement.
Shapiro, who witnessed the incident, stated that he felt compelled to respond and film the confrontation due to the distress displayed by other legal observers at the scene. After Pretti managed to escape from the officers temporarily, he interacted with Shapiro, confirming that he was not injured and checking on the safety of others involved in the protest. Shapiro later emphasized that Pretti seemed genuinely concerned about the welfare of individuals affected by the ongoing immigration policies pursued by the Trump Administration.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that it is currently reviewing the new footage and the events surrounding Pretti's death. However, it remains unclear if any officers involved in the earlier confrontation with Pretti were present during the shooting incident. Legal experts and advocates continue to express skepticism regarding the justification provided by law enforcement for their use of lethal force in this case, highlighting the need for accountability and thorough investigation into the actions of federal agents during protests related to immigration enforcement.
