Minneapolis shooting: What videos reveal about Alex Pretti’s final moments

Washington DC: Video footage circulating online has raised serious questions about official claims made by US authorities following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old nurse by immigration agents in Minneapolis.

What happened in Minneapolis

According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), immigration agents shot Alex Pretti during an encounter in Minneapolis on January 25, claiming he approached officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and violently resisted arrest. Authorities alleged the situation posed a serious threat to federal law enforcement officers.

What the video footage shows

Video clips shared widely by US media outlets, and reviewed by AFP though not independently verified, show Pretti holding a mobile phone while filming agents on a snow-lined street. He appears to be directing traffic and does not appear to be holding a weapon at the time.

The footage shows an agent pushing a woman protester to the ground. Pretti then steps between the woman and officers and is sprayed in the face with a chemical irritant. He is subsequently taken to the ground, where multiple officers restrain him on an icy roadway.

Moments before the shooting

Seconds later, as Pretti is bent forward on his knees with officers on top of him, one officer appears to pull a firearm from Pretti’s waist. Agents then open fire. The footage captures officers shooting Pretti multiple times, including after he is motionless on the ground. At least 10 gunshots can be heard.

In one clip, a bystander can be heard asking, “Where’s the gun?” while Pretti lies unresponsive.

Official response and disputed claims

Following the incident, DHS posted an image on social media platform X showing a handgun it claimed was recovered from Pretti. The department described the incident as one in which an individual sought to cause “maximum damage” to law enforcement personnel.

However, DHS did not clarify whether Pretti had the weapon in his hands at the time of the shooting.

Family’s reaction

Pretti’s parents strongly rejected the official version of events, calling the administration’s statements “sickening lies”. In a public statement, they said their son was holding his phone, not a gun, when he was attacked and that his left hand was raised as he attempted to shield the woman who had been pushed to the ground.

They accused immigration agents of using excessive force and demanded accountability.

Why this matters

The shooting has intensified scrutiny of US immigration enforcement tactics and the use of lethal force by federal agents. The contrasting accounts between official statements and video evidence are likely to prompt further investigation and public debate over transparency, accountability, and the conduct of immigration authorities.