1 hour ago
3
“warning: graphic content”
A doctor detailed the harrowing moment he tried to save Alex Pretti’s life after Border Patrol agents shot him — as the pistol-carrying ICU nurse’s family described him as “kind-hearted” and slammed the Trump administration for telling “lies” about him.
The pediatrician is one of two witnesses who have said in sworn testimony that Pretti, 37, was not brandishing his weapon when he was approached by federal agents, contradicting assertions made by administration officials.
The lawsuit, brought by the ACLU on behalf of Minneapolis protests against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, was filed in federal court in Minnesota on Saturday.
Alex Pretti (l) was allegedly prevented from receiving medical treatment by federal officers. dangjessie/ InstagramBoth witnesses, whose names were redacted in publicly available filings, claimed they were prevented at first by federal officers from rendering medical aid to Pretti.
“At first, the ICE agents wouldn’t let me through. But none of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR, and I could tell that the victim was in critical condition. I insisted that the ICE agents let me assess him,” the doctor said.
The physician, 29, said they saw the shooting from their apartment window, in their testimony.
They said Pretti was yelling at federal agents, but added that they “did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind.”
When the doctor finally got through, they said the federal officers “appeared to be counting [Pretti’s] bullet wounds,” rather than performing CPR.
Pretti died after being shot by agents during anti-ICE demonstrations on Saturday in Minneapolis. via REUTERSPretti had “at least three bullet wounds in his back,” along with one in his upper left chest and another possible wound in his neck,” the doctor stated in their affidavit.
“I checked for a pulse, but I did not feel one,” they added.
Pretti’s family and friends have described him as a “kindhearted” nurse who worked in the ICU at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center treating sick veterans.
“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital,” Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, said in a statement.
“Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact,” the statement continued.
They also hit out at what they called the “lies” by the DHS that their son was threatening agents when he was killed.
Instead, Pretti’s parents said he was trying to protect a woman near the agents at the time of the shooting.
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” the parents said.
“He was a really great colleague and a really great friend. The default look on his face was a smile,” colleague Dr. Dimitri Drekonja told the New York Times.
Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit, Minneapolis Police have said.
President Trump shared a picture of Pretti’s handgun, a Sig Sauer P320, on his Truth Social, questioning why he brought a loaded gun to a protest, and speculating as to whether Minnesota cops were ordered to stand down.
“This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about?” President Trump wrote.
“Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves — Not an easy thing to do!” he added.
English (US)