Overview
- Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis on Saturday.
- DHS says Pretti approached agents armed with a 9mm pistol and violently resisted, while multiple bystander videos reported by news outlets show him holding a phone with no visible weapon.
- Barack and Michelle Obama labeled the death a heartbreaking tragedy and urged a course change toward lawful, accountable enforcement that cooperates with state and local officials.
- The Obamas encouraged Americans to support peaceful protests and criticized official explanations they say are not backed by thorough investigation and appear to conflict with video evidence.
- Pretti’s death is the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal agents in Minneapolis this month after Renee Nicole Good’s killing on January 7, intensifying protests and disputes over federal tactics.