The family of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, is seeking justice seven months after his death. In a recent interview, Pretti's parents and sister stated they believe the 37-year-old was "murdered."
Pretti was one of two American citizens fatally shot by federal agents during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. Footage of the January incident shows Pretti, who was observing immigration activity, being shot multiple times by two federal agents. In the video clips, Pretti appears to be holding a phone and not a weapon. His firearm, which he was licensed to carry, was reportedly removed by an officer before he was shot.
The family revealed they discovered his death through live television coverage of the event. "We watched it on TV, and I was like, ‘That’s our son. That’s Alex,’" his father, Michael Pretti, told "Good Morning America." "And they killed him. No one called us."
Susan Pretti, Alex's mother, stated, "We still haven’t heard from them." Michael Pretti recounted, "Watching our son be shot 10 times on TV." His mother added, "In the back."
"My shock is that he was murdered, and no one has given us the complete truth, or anyone has been held accountable," Susan Pretti said. Michael Pretti added, "There was more effort in vilifying him than pursuing justice."
The Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into Pretti's death, with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI also involved. A spokesperson for Homeland Security confirmed the investigation remains active. The Justice Department previously stated to ABC News that communications with families "do not typically occur during an investigation."
In the aftermath of Pretti's death, former Trump administration officials made public statements characterizing Pretti. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller referred to Pretti as an "assassin" and stated he "tried to murder federal agents." President Donald Trump called him an "agitator" and "perhaps" an "insurrectionist."
Michael Pretti described Trump's comments as "so un-presidential," and Miller's remarks as "disgusting." Susan Pretti expressed hope for an apology, asking, "Why shouldn’t we get one for the things they said?"
The family's primary demand is for accountability for the officers involved. "They murdered our child," Susan Pretti stated. "People need to be held responsible when they murder people in this country. Period."