As the dust settles after a deadly encounter in Minneapolis, one family says they are being forced to mourn while also fighting what they believe are false and damaging narratives.
At the center of the storm is Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was shot and killed during an immigration enforcement operation involving federal agents.
A Sister Breaks Her Silence to Defend Her Brother
Alex Pretti’s younger sister, Micayla Pretti, spoke publicly for the first time on Monday, expressing deep anguish over what she described as “disgusting lies” being told about her brother.
In her statement, she painted a picture of a compassionate healthcare worker, not the violent aggressor authorities have suggested.
She described Alex as a hero, someone driven by empathy and a desire to help others.
According to Micayla, that instinct didn’t disappear even in his final moments.
“All Alex ever wanted was to help someone — anyone,” she said, adding that she believes he was trying to do just that when his life ended.
Federal Officials Say Agents Acted in Self-Defense
Federal authorities have stood firmly by their account of the incident.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said officers involved in the operation feared for their lives when Pretti allegedly approached them.
According to DHS, agents fired their weapons only after Pretti violently resisted and reportedly pointed a firearm at them.
Officials have repeatedly stated that he was brandishing a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun during the confrontation.
Family Pushes Back Against Terrorism Claims
Micayla Pretti strongly rejected any suggestion that her brother was a domestic terrorist or had intentions to harm law enforcement.
She questioned how such labels could be applied to a man she says spent his life saving others.
Her frustration was unmistakable as she asked how many more lives must be lost before the cycle of violence and misinformation ends.
Hearing such claims about her brother, she said, has been devastating.
Trump Weighs In on the Shooting
Former President Donald Trump also commented on the incident in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
While expressing general opposition to shootings, he suggested that carrying a fully loaded firearm at a protest or tense situation does not reflect well on the individual involved.
His remarks added another layer to an already polarized public conversation about the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death.
Conflicting Video Footage Raises New Questions
Several videos recorded by witnesses have complicated the official narrative.
Some footage appears to show Pretti holding up his phone toward agents rather than a gun.
Another video seemingly captures an officer removing a firearm from Pretti’s waistband before shots were fired.
These clips have fueled debate online, especially since it remains unclear who fired the first shot after Pretti was allegedly disarmed.
What Police and Records Reveal About Pretti
Minneapolis police confirmed that Pretti, who also worked as a Veterans Affairs nurse, had no serious criminal history. He was a lawful gun owner and held a valid permit to carry his firearm.
That information has led many to question how events escalated so rapidly and whether deadly force was necessary.
A Gun Expert Suggests an Accidental Discharge
Adding to the uncertainty, gun expert and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus lawyer Rob Dobar has suggested a different sequence of events.
He believes it is highly possible that Pretti’s Sig Sauer P320 accidentally discharged while in the hands of an agent, triggering return fire from another officer.
In a post on X, Dobar said he suspects the first shot may have been a negligent discharge by an agent after removing the weapon from Pretti’s holster.
An Investigation Still Unfolding
With conflicting accounts, emotional family testimony, and unclear video evidence, many questions remain unanswered.
For now, Alex Pretti’s family continues to grieve — and to insist that the man they knew should be remembered not as a threat, but as a healer whose life ended far too soon.
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