The Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti: A stark contrast between official claims and video evidence
A Minneapolis nurse was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday, sparking a controversy over the circumstances surrounding his death. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed that Pretti approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, violently resisting their attempts to disarm him. However, bystander videos reviewed by CBS News show Pretti holding a cellphone, not a gun, in his hand.
The claims made by DHS officials are contradicted by witness testimony and video evidence. Two witnesses who submitted sworn statements described seeing Pretti shoved to the ground without any indication of violent resistance. One witness said that Pretti was "trying to help the woman up" when he was pushed to the ground.
Federal agents have also claimed that Pretti had a lawful right to carry a concealed weapon, but video footage shows him holding his cellphone, not a gun, before being approached by agents.
The Department of Homeland Security has also made claims about Pretti's medical care after the shooting. The DHS statement claimed that "Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject," but a pediatrician who rushed to the scene disputed this claim, saying that none of the ICE agents present were performing CPR and that Pretti was lying on his side with several officers surrounding him.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has also condemned Pretti as a "would-be assassin" who had "tried to murder federal law enforcement." However, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, Pretti had no criminal record and was described by local officials as a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.
The contrast between the claims made by DHS officials and the video evidence highlights the need for transparency and accuracy in official accounts of high-profile incidents like this one. The incident has sparked widespread outrage among gun rights advocates, who have criticized the administration's actions and accused them of overstepping their authority.
A Minneapolis nurse was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday, sparking a controversy over the circumstances surrounding his death. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed that Pretti approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, violently resisting their attempts to disarm him. However, bystander videos reviewed by CBS News show Pretti holding a cellphone, not a gun, in his hand.
The claims made by DHS officials are contradicted by witness testimony and video evidence. Two witnesses who submitted sworn statements described seeing Pretti shoved to the ground without any indication of violent resistance. One witness said that Pretti was "trying to help the woman up" when he was pushed to the ground.
Federal agents have also claimed that Pretti had a lawful right to carry a concealed weapon, but video footage shows him holding his cellphone, not a gun, before being approached by agents.
The Department of Homeland Security has also made claims about Pretti's medical care after the shooting. The DHS statement claimed that "Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject," but a pediatrician who rushed to the scene disputed this claim, saying that none of the ICE agents present were performing CPR and that Pretti was lying on his side with several officers surrounding him.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has also condemned Pretti as a "would-be assassin" who had "tried to murder federal law enforcement." However, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, Pretti had no criminal record and was described by local officials as a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.
The contrast between the claims made by DHS officials and the video evidence highlights the need for transparency and accuracy in official accounts of high-profile incidents like this one. The incident has sparked widespread outrage among gun rights advocates, who have criticized the administration's actions and accused them of overstepping their authority.
. DHS is really struggling to get its story straight here. I mean, what even happened? The videos don't lie, folks. Pretti was holding a phone, not a gun, when he got approached by agents. It's like they're trying to spin something that just ain't true 
. And let's not forget about the medical care after the shooting - it's all questionable 
. Stephen Miller is basically making assumptions that aren't even backed up by evidence 
. We need more transparency, ASAP! #JusticeForAlexPretti #TransparencyMatters #DHS Fail
. The thing that really gets me though, is how quickly everyone was rushing to judgment without having all the facts. I mean, we need more than just party lines and spin to have an informed conversation about this. We need actual transparency and accountability 
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and yeah, it's super concerning that they're trying to spin this whole thing with such a different narrative than what's on the videos. transparency is key here, you feel me? 
It's like they're trying to cover something up or something. And that pediatrician who showed up on scene, what did he see? Did anyone even try to help Pretti? 
The more I think about it, the more I'm just frustrated. Can we at least get some truth around here? 
This is a total mess! I mean, come on, DHS is claiming that Alex Pretti was waving around a gun when he got shot, but all we've got are vids of him holding a phone 
. It's like they're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. And what's up with the medical claims? A pediatrician says nobody was doing CPR on him, and yet DHS is saying it was "immediately" done? It just doesn't add up.
to describe Alex as a "would-be assassin"? Like, no evidence supports that claim at all. And Pretti didn't even have a record of any kind! This whole thing reeks of cover-up.
. The government's story just doesn't add up, you know? They're saying this guy was all aggressive and violent when really it looks like he was just trying to help someone. It's crazy that they're trying to cover it up like this 
. And the fact that they're spreading misinformation about his medical care is just ridiculous. The video footage is clear, there were no officers doing CPR and the guy wasn't even carrying a gun 
. This kind of thing should be investigated thoroughly before they start making statements. It's not right to railroad someone like this 
.
. I just want to know what really happened to Alex Pretti. Transparency is key here! 
And don't even get me started on the DHS claims about his medical care 
I mean, if medics weren't doing CPR on him and he was lying on the ground with officers surrounding him then yeah, that's a pretty bad situation 
It just goes to show how out of touch the administration is right now 
We need more transparency and less BS from our gov't officials 
. How do you even dispute someone's account like that? It's outrageous.
. We need more transparency and accountability in our government, especially when it comes to high-profile incidents like this one. It's a real wake-up call for us as a society 
meanwhile there's witnesses who said he wasn't being aggressive at all, like he was trying to help some lady up 
. it's crazy that they're making claims about him having a gun when we know he didn't 
this whole thing just smells fishy 
I feel bad for Alex Pretti's family, they must be going through some really tough times right now.
. I mean, come on, they're saying Alex Pretti was trying to murder federal law enforcement? That's some serious accusations and no evidence to back it up 
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. But this case is just ridiculous 
. The fact that they're trying to portray Pretti as some kind of villain when there's no evidence to support it is just not fair 
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The way DHS is spinning this story is just wild 
! I mean, come on, if they said Alex Pretti was holding a gun when he got shot, but videos show him with his phone 
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? It just doesn't add up 
. I'm so frustrated with the administration and DHS for not being transparent about this 
. This incident is a total miscarriage of justice 
#JusticeForAlex #DHSFail #TransparencyNow