Seven months after Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, was shot and killed by two federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, his family is demanding accountability in their first public interview.
"We want justice. We want accountability for the people that did this to Alex," said Michael Pretti, Alex's father, during an interview with ABC News. His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, and his sister, Micayla Pretti, were present for the discussion.
Alex Pretti was killed on Jan. 24. His family stated he was observing immigration activity when the incident occurred. Eyewitness video appears to show Pretti holding a phone and attempting to shield himself from pepper spray when he was taken to the ground by federal officers. His legal firearm was removed by an officer before approximately 10 shots were fired, according to the video.
His parents recounted learning of their son's death while watching news coverage, with his mother recognizing his jacket and sunglasses in the footage. "That's how we found out, watching it on TV. Watching our son be shot ten times on TV," Michael Pretti stated. Susan Pretti added that the shots were fired "in the back."
"I was not shocked that he helped somebody. My shock is that he was murdered and no one has ہمیں given us the complete truth or anyone has been held accountable. And it's been seven months," Susan Pretti said. "What did he do to deserve to be murdered?"
In the aftermath of the shooting, some Trump administration officials publicly criticized Pretti. Former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino suggested Pretti intended "to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." Then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti "committed an act of domestic terrorism." Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller posted on social media that Pretti was an "assassin" and "domestic terrorist." President Donald Trump also referred to Pretti as an "agitator" and "perhaps" an "insurrectionist" on social media.
"There was more effort in vilifying him than pursuing justice, investigating this," Michael Pretti commented on the response from administration officials. His sister, Micayla Pretti, expressed strong disapproval of these characterizations.
The Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting, with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI also involved. Steve Schleicher, an attorney for the Pretti family, stated that the family is unaware of the investigation's current status and the information gathered. "They at least have the right to know who shot Alex Pretti," Schleicher said. "They have the right to be consulted with meaningfully, they have the right to meet with the prosecutors, they have the right to have the process not drag on too long. They have the right to be informed, and that's just not being done here."
A DOJ spokesperson stated that communications with family members typically occur at later stages of a case, such as indictment or trial, rather than during the investigation phase. A DHS spokesperson indicated that statements made by the administration were based on information received from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and that the investigation remains active.
The Pretti family seeks the release of the agents' names involved in the shooting and for those responsible to be held accountable. "They murdered our child," Susan Pretti asserted. "People need to be held responsible when they murder people in this country. Period."