Van seconde tot seconde: beelden tonen hoe door ICE doodgeschoten Alex (37) geen wapen vasthoudt, maar een telefoon | Buitenland
A 37-year-old man, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday in Minneapolis. Initial reports from the Trump administration stated Pretti attacked an ICE agent with a firearm. However, analysis of video footage by the New York Times reveals Pretti was holding a phone at the time of the shooting, not a weapon.
The Escalating Confrontation
The incident unfolded rapidly, with video showing a confrontation between Pretti and at least ten agents. Multiple shots were fired, and Pretti was left motionless on the ground. The agents involved were wearing ICE and border patrol tactical vests. Reports indicate at least ten shots were discharged during the encounter.
Following the shooting, the Trump administration initially claimed Pretti was armed and that the agents acted in self-defense. Greg Bovino, commander of the U.S. Border Patrol, stated an agent “feared for his life” during a press conference. U.S. Minister of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, went further, labeling Pretti a “domestic terrorist.”
According to Noem’s department, the incident began when Pretti approached federal agents with a handgun, intending to “cause a bloodbath.” Noem asserted, “This person, who came to a federal law enforcement operation with weapons and ammunition to stop it, committed an act of domestic terrorism. Those are the facts.”
However, video evidence appears to contradict these claims. Analysis by multiple sources, including this newsroom and the New York Times, shows Pretti was unarmed when the agents opened fire. The footage depicts a less than 30-second escalation, beginning with Pretti filming the agents, followed by agents pushing him.
Pretti ended up on the ground but attempted to get up. He was then struck three times with what appears to be pepper spray while holding his phone in one hand and raising his other hand in a defensive posture.
Minnesota state law permits individuals with permits to openly carry firearms. The Minneapolis Police Commissioner confirmed Pretti possessed such a permit. The Department of Homeland Security alleges Pretti carried a firearm during the incident, along with two magazines.
However, the video footage shows an agent with a gray jacket walking away with that alleged firearm. Following this, multiple shots were fired, and Pretti remained on the ground as the federal agents retreated.
The parents of Alex Pretti have condemned what they call the “outrageous lies” being spread by the Trump administration. “We are deeply saddened, but also incredibly angry,” they stated. “Alex was a warm soul who cared deeply about his family and friends, and also about the American veterans he cared for as an ICU nurse at the VA hospital in Minneapolis.”
According to his parents, Pretti was holding his phone in his right hand and had his left hand raised in defense while attempting to protect a woman who had been forced to the ground by ICE agents. He was simultaneously being sprayed with pepper spray.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Alex Pretti have in his hand when he was shot?
According to video analysis, Alex Pretti was holding a phone in his hand at the time he was shot by ICE agents.
What was the initial claim made by the Trump administration regarding the shooting?
The Trump administration initially claimed that Alex Pretti attacked an ICE agent with a firearm, prompting the agents to act in self-defense.
What did the Minister of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, call Alex Pretti?
Kristi Noem labeled Alex Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” alleging he intended to “cause a bloodbath.”
What further investigation into this incident will reveal remains to be seen, but it is likely to fuel further debate about the use of force by federal agents and the handling of such incidents. A possible next step could be an independent investigation into the shooting. The case could also lead to further scrutiny of ICE’s protocols and training procedures.