The family of Alex Pretti, a Department of Veterans Affairs nurse, learned of his death by federal agents on Jan. 24, 2024, while watching live television footage of the incident, recognizing his jacket and sunglasses on screen. Pretti, 37, was killed during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after he appeared to intervene when a woman was shoved to the ground.
His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, and his sister, Micayla Pretti, shared these details in their first on-camera interview since his death. Michael Pretti recounted watching the footage, stating, "That's how we found out. Watching it on TV. Watching our son be shot ten times on TV. In the back. Trying to help someone." Micayla Pretti identified her brother by his jacket, and Susan Pretti added, "And his sunglasses."
According to the family, they have not received a call from authorities in the months following Pretti's death. Their attorney met with the U.S. Attorney's Office in July. Pretti's killing occurred weeks after another Minneapolis resident, Renee Nicole Good, was shot and killed by federal agents during a separate immigration operation.
Following Pretti's death, several Trump administration officials made public statements. Then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem alleged Pretti attacked officers and was "brandishing a gun." Former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino claimed Pretti wanted "to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller posted on social media that Pretti was an "assassin" and a "domestic terrorist," a statement reposted by Vice President JD Vance. In February, Vance declined to apologize for endorsing Miller's statement, noting that consequences would follow if the shooting agent's actions were found to be wrong.
After a video emerged showing Pretti confronting federal agents a week before his death and damaging a vehicle, then-President Trump described him as an "agitator" and "perhaps" an "insurrectionist." The Pretti family described these comments from administration officials as "disgusting." Miller later acknowledged his statement was made in haste, and Trump stated he did not agree that Pretti was an "assassin."
The family's attorney, Steve Schleicher, who previously assisted in the prosecution of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, stated that the status of investigations by the Justice Department and the FBI into Alex Pretti's death remains unclear. He emphasized the family's right to know who shot Alex Pretti and to have the process not drag on excessively, with timely information.
A Department of Justice spokesperson told the Daily Mail that communications with family members typically occur at later stages of a case, such as indictment or trial, and not during the investigative phase. A Department of Homeland Security spokesman stated that initial statements were based on information received on the ground and referred further questions to the FBI. White House Spokeswoman Lauren Bis reiterated that President Trump views Pretti's death as a tragedy and advocates for a fact-based investigation, also noting the administration's view on the deaths of Americans at the hands of undocumented immigrants.
The FBI declined to comment. As the investigation continues, the family continues to seek answers and accountability for Pretti's death.
