Roommates, Alex Pretti suddenly became the center of a heartbreaking story in Minneapolis. Those who knew him paint a portrait of a dedicated nurse, an avid outdoorsman and a person who deeply cared about his community. But over the weekend, his life ended in a shocking encounter that left his family, friends and the town searching for answers.
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Family remembers Alex Pretti and mourns his tragic passing
Family members say Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was passionate about social justice, particularly immigration enforcement policies he considered unjust. He had participated in demonstrations after the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and often spoke to her parents about the importance of stand up for what is right — but always with caution. “We had this discussion with him two weeks ago…go ahead and protest, but don’t engage, don’t do anything stupid,” shared Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “And he said he knew it. He knew it.“Friends and loved ones remember him as an empathetic, down-to-earth and non-violent man, which made the shooting even more shocking.
The questions revolve around what really happened
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Alex spoke to Border Patrol agents carried a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, but authorities have not said whether he was brandishing it. Family members confirmed that he owned a handgun and had a permit to carry it in Minnesota, but they said he rarely, if ever, carried it and had no history of violent behavior. Spectator footage shows Alex holding a phone, with no visible weapon in sight, adding to questions about what exactly happened during the encounter.
The Obamas speak out amid Minneapolis tragedy
The latest chapter in the heartbreak and controversy surrounding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti has sparked global reactions. Even Barack and Michelle Obama could not remain silent. drop a statement it upended the national debate and put new pressure on the Trump administration.
In their statement, the former president and first lady called Pretti’s death “aheartbreaking tragedy» and a “awakening“for Americans of all stripes, accusing federal agents to use tactics that seem intended to “intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger“Local communities rather than protecting them. They then criticized the administration for what they described as explanations that do not match video evidence and urged federal officials to work with local leaders to “avoid further chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals.» The Obamas even encouraged ordinary Americans to take inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests that have erupted in Minneapolis and beyond — a stark rebuke of the way things have played out so far.
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