The family of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, responded Tuesday to statements made by President Donald Trump and administration officials regarding the incident. In an interview with "Good Morning America," Michael and Susan Pretti addressed social media posts and official comments that characterized their son as an "agitator," "insurrectionist," and "assassin." The family requested an apology and called for accountability following the January 24 shooting.
The incident occurred seven months ago during a federal immigration enforcement operation. According to video evidence cited by the family, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers fired multiple shots into Pretti’s back after he had been pulled to the ground and disarmed of a legally carried firearm. In the immediate aftermath, White House official Stephen Miller and then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Pretti an "assassin" and a "domestic terrorist," respectively.
White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said in a statement that the president views the death as a tragedy and has advocated for a fact-based investigation. Bis noted that the investigation remains active and stated that the administration's initial comments were based on information received from agents on the ground. The Department of Justice told reporters that it is standard protocol to not include family members in the active investigation process, a claim disputed by the Pretti family’s attorney, Steve Schleicher.
For the public, the case highlights the scale of federal immigration operations in metropolitan areas like Minneapolis. The shooting triggered nationwide protests and raised questions about the protocols used by Customs and Border Protection when encountering bystanders or observers. A determination of "homicide," as reported in previous findings, puts the actions of federal personnel under intense scrutiny, potentially influencing future training and engagement rules for thousands of agents operating under the Department of Homeland Security.
The legal proceedings and the investigation's final report will establish whether the statements made by high-ranking officials aligned with the physical evidence. A final resolution may take several more months as the Justice Department continues its review. The family has indicated they will continue to seek a formal apology and justice through the legal system. As of August 25, no official charges have been announced against the officers involved, and the White House has not yet contacted the Pretti family directly.