By Fatma Younis
The parents of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs nurse killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on January 24, accused the Trump administration on Tuesday of shielding the officers involved and lying about the circumstances of his death. Michael and Susan Pretti said they have received no substantive information from the government in the nine months since the shooting.
Family Alleges Smear Campaign
At a news conference organized by their attorney, Steve Schleicher, the Prettis said federal officials portrayed their son as an armed domestic terrorist who violently resisted agents. Susan Pretti called the portrayal a lie intended to cover up a crime. Court records show Alex Pretti had no criminal record, and bystander video shows he held only a mobile phone at the time. No footage has emerged showing him brandishing a weapon or attacking agents.
Stonewalling by Federal Prosecutors
The family said they were stonewalled by U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and Minnesota U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen. A July meeting with Rosen raised more questions than answers, with the prosecutor refusing to provide basic details about the federal investigation. The Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment. Rosen's office also declined to comment.
State Seeks Independent Investigation
Minnesota officials sued the administration in March for access to evidence, including officers' cellphones and interview recordings, to conduct an independent probe into the shootings of Pretti and Renee Good. The federal government has argued state prosecutors lack jurisdiction over federal officers, while state officials say they cannot trust a federal self-investigation.
Parents Learned of Death From Media
Michael Pretti recounted learning of his son's death from an Associated Press reporter, not from government officials. He described seeing video of his son shot repeatedly in the back while on the ground after helping a woman who had been shoved by officers. "No one from the federal government called us on that horrible day, but they did go on TV to tell lies about Alex," he said.
