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“He Was Holding His Phone”: Bystander Video Sparks Online Chatter Following Fatal Encounter Of Alex Pretti
Footage filmed by civilians has become central to a rapidly unfolding controversy after Alex Pretti was fatally sh*t by a federal immigration agent during anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis on January 24.
While the Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti posed an armed threat, bystander videos immediately complicated the narrative, prompting widespread online analysis.
Highlights
- Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was fatally wounded by an ICE agent during a protest in Minneapolis on January 24.
- Multiple bystander videos showed Pretti holding a cellphone and appearing to intervene after an agent pushed a woman into the snow.
- Federal officials claimed Pretti was an armed "g*nman" who resisted violently, while frame-by-frame analysis by major news outlets showed him with his hands up or pinned down before the shots.
- The demise reignited fury in Minnesota, coming just weeks after the fatal sh*oting of Renee Good by federal agents.
The 37-year-old ICU nurse’s demise came less than three weeks after another Minnesotan, Renee Good, was fatally wounded by an ICE agent on January 7.
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The 37-year-old ICU nurse was fatally wounded by federal agents during an ICE operation in Minneapolis
Image credits: patriottakes
According to federal officials, Pretti was slain during a “targeted operation” in Minneapolis as immigration officers attempted to detain another individual.
Homeland Security claimed Pretti approached officers while armed and “violently resisted” efforts to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire. The department described the encounter as “defensive shots.”
“The officers attempted to disarm the suspect, but the armed suspect violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive sh*ts,” Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security spokesperson, told the BBC.
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Pretti was pronounced deceased at the scene despite medical aid.
Border Patrol Commander, Gregory Bovino, later escalated the rhetoric, claiming Pretti was attempting to “m*ssacre law enforcement”, while President Donald Trump publicly referred to him as a “gu*man.”
However, those claims soon collided with what bystanders had captured on their phones.
Bystander footage appeared, highlighting Alex Pretti holding a phone as the encounter with ICE agents began
Image credits: RpsAgainstTrump
Several videos taken from different angles showed Pretti standing in the street holding what appears to be a cellphone rather than a firearm, in the moments leading up to the confrontation.
One neighbour, Chris Gray, told CNN that Pretti was “filming somebody getting abducted” when the whole ordeal began.
Image credits: patriottakes
In a now-viral clip, an ICE agent can be seen pushing a woman into a pile of snow. Pretti then moves toward her, appearing to intervene. The same agent pepper-sprayed Pretti in the face as he raised his hands defensively.
Despite being sprayed, footage showed Pretti attempting to help the woman again.
“Pretti is clearly not holding a g*n when he is first confronted by agents,” claimed BBC Verify.
A frame-by-frame analysis conducted by The New York Times alsoconcluded that Pretti was “visibly holding a phone” before being tackled
Image credits: markbecker26
As Pretti moved back toward the woman, several ICE agents rushed in and forced him to the ground.
Videos showed him pinned beneath multiple officers, struggling on his hands and knees. In one viral clip, an officer can be seen in a gray jacket reaching toward Pretti’s waistband.
“Just over one second after the officer emerges holding the weapon, a sh*t rings out, followed by at least nine more,” a synchronized video analysis by CNN reported.
Image credits: WCCO – CBS Minnesota
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Notably, none of the verified bystander videos showed Pretti brandishing a firearm at any point before agents piled on top of him.
That moment instantly became the focal point of online scrutiny, with many netizens arguing that the video showed an unjustified homicide
The social media sleuths erupted as footage challenged claims that Pretti was a threat
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“He was a nurse. He was directing traffic. He was protecting a woman,” wrote one user, while another added, “There is a video showing his hands while he’s on the ground the entire time.”
“I saw the unedited videos — it’s clear this was a cowardly m*rder,” added a third.
“How sad, this is another m*rder committed by ICE.”
Image credits: WCCO – CBS Minnesota
Several commentators directly linked Pretti’s tragic demise to the earlier fatality of Renee Good, arguing that the lack of accountability had emboldened agents.
“They felt safe doing this because of the zero discipline for the k*lling of Renee two weeks ago,” said one user.
At the same time, a wave of detractors blamed Pretti, pointing to the firearm and ammunition he was reportedly carrying
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A large number of online detractors argued that Pretti was carrying a firearm, regardless of whether it was visible, and that this justified lethal force.
“He interfered with an arrest and resisted while armed,” said one user, while another wrote, “No sane person goes to a protest known for violence carrying a g*n.”
“He went out looking for trouble, and he found it.”
Others focused on the reported ammunition. “Who carries 30–50 rounds with him?”
The authorities defended the ICE agent, alleging that Pretti carried a firearm that was loaded with magazines
Image credits: PopBase
Despite the footage, DHS doubled down on its version of events.
“I don’t know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a g*n and ammunition rather than a sign,” said Secretary Kristi Noem.
Trump also echoed that sentiment in a Truth social media post. He shared an image of a handg*n authorities said belonged to Pretti, adding that it was loaded with additional magazines.
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He also accused Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of “inciting insurrection with their pompous, dangerous and arrogant rhetoric!”
As soon as the footage spread online, Walz publicly rejected the administration’s framing.
“Thank God we have video,” he said, calling early claims about Pretti “nonsense and lies.”
Pretti’s family and witnesses also rejected federal claims, calling them “sickening lies”
Image credits: patriottakes
Pretti’s family forcefully rejected the government’s version of events, stating that the footage proved their son was not a threat.
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a g*n when attacked by Trump’s m*rdering and cowardly ICE thugs,” they said in a statement.
@perezbrenna 1/24 Minneapolis ICE shooting frame by frame analysis of multiple angles. #news#breakingnews#history#storytime#tea♬ original sound – Brenna Pérez
His father further described him as someone who “cared deeply” and participated in protests because he believed ICE actions were harming innocent people.
As the investigation continues, the videos have become the primary lens through which the public views the incident.
“This regime has got to go,” one netizen wrote
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What do you think ?
Rick Murray 1 month ago
No, he wasn't "fatally sh*t", he was mur*ered. It's way past time to stop sugar coating this. Trump is picking on a largely defenceless minority, making them out to be evil incarnate that should be rounded up, and has sent his own Sturmabteilung into certain cities that are not politically aligned with his highly warped world view.
Multa Nocte 1 month ago
Rick, thank you for this term. I will use it when the term "brown shirters" is eventually banned here. Wiki Diki --> "The Sturmabteilung; lit. 'Storm Division' or loosely 'stormtroopers') was the original paramilitary organisation under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party of Germany. It played a significant role in Hitler's rise to power in the 1920s and early 1930s. Its primary purposes were providing protection for Nazi rallies and assemblies, disrupting the meetings of opposing parties, fighting against the paramilitary units of the opposing parties, especially the Roter Frontkämpferbund of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) and the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), and intimidating Romani, trade unionists, and especially Jews. The SA were colloquially called Brownshirts (Braunhemden) because of the colour of their uniform's shirts, similar to Benito Mussolini's Blackshirts. "
Load More Replies...
Multa Nocte 1 month ago (edited)
This was a clear case of the murder of an innocent man who was trying to help someone. I can't wait until this whole thing turns around and these murderers and brown shirters are called out, although I am sure Drumpf will try to give them all a criminal pardon. On the other hand, the way the orange blob is looking these days, I don't think he's going to make it to the end of this term. He looks pretty shitty - well, shittier than usual. Although that's just my optimistic side speaking.
Dill 1 month ago
It's horrific that there are people defending what those ICE thugs did. One of them was CLAPPING afterwards. These are men who are enjoying what they're doing, the power that they have. I'm with you Multa Nocte. I've never, ever wished illness or harm, let alone death, on anyone in my life but the sooner Trump pops his clogs (snuffs it) the better. Though Vance... UGH and double Ugh. Repugnant, human effluence.
Load More Replies...
Mel in Georgia 1 month ago
These dea ths are so predictable. Highly agitated people in confrontational positions carrying weapons. The only way to deescalate and prevent more is for ICE GTFO of Minneapolis. Not only was this mur der, but it was aided and abetted by this administration. I am so heartbroken and terrified for our country.
Rick Murray 1 month ago
No, he wasn't "fatally sh*t", he was mur*ered. It's way past time to stop sugar coating this. Trump is picking on a largely defenceless minority, making them out to be evil incarnate that should be rounded up, and has sent his own Sturmabteilung into certain cities that are not politically aligned with his highly warped world view.
Multa Nocte 1 month ago
Rick, thank you for this term. I will use it when the term "brown shirters" is eventually banned here. Wiki Diki --> "The Sturmabteilung; lit. 'Storm Division' or loosely 'stormtroopers') was the original paramilitary organisation under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party of Germany. It played a significant role in Hitler's rise to power in the 1920s and early 1930s. Its primary purposes were providing protection for Nazi rallies and assemblies, disrupting the meetings of opposing parties, fighting against the paramilitary units of the opposing parties, especially the Roter Frontkämpferbund of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) and the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), and intimidating Romani, trade unionists, and especially Jews. The SA were colloquially called Brownshirts (Braunhemden) because of the colour of their uniform's shirts, similar to Benito Mussolini's Blackshirts. "
Load More Replies... Multa Nocte 1 month ago (edited)
This was a clear case of the murder of an innocent man who was trying to help someone. I can't wait until this whole thing turns around and these murderers and brown shirters are called out, although I am sure Drumpf will try to give them all a criminal pardon. On the other hand, the way the orange blob is looking these days, I don't think he's going to make it to the end of this term. He looks pretty shitty - well, shittier than usual. Although that's just my optimistic side speaking.
Dill 1 month ago
It's horrific that there are people defending what those ICE thugs did. One of them was CLAPPING afterwards. These are men who are enjoying what they're doing, the power that they have. I'm with you Multa Nocte. I've never, ever wished illness or harm, let alone death, on anyone in my life but the sooner Trump pops his clogs (snuffs it) the better. Though Vance... UGH and double Ugh. Repugnant, human effluence.
Load More Replies... Mel in Georgia 1 month ago
These dea ths are so predictable. Highly agitated people in confrontational positions carrying weapons. The only way to deescalate and prevent more is for ICE GTFO of Minneapolis. Not only was this mur der, but it was aided and abetted by this administration. I am so heartbroken and terrified for our country.
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