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Pretti, a U.S. citizen born in Illinois, had no criminal record prior to the confrontation. His family told CBS News that he legally owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Minnesota but had never been known to carry it publicly. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti did indeed have the proper permit.
The Prettis learned of their son’s death after spotting video footage of the shooting. “I can’t get any information from anybody,” Michael Pretti told CBS. “The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrol’s closed, the hospitals won’t answer any questions?” Eventually, a call to the medical examiner confirmed that it was Alex.
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement detailing the incident:
“At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, seen here.
The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming.
Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID—this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.
About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement on the scene, crowd control measures were deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement.
This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming.”
Following the shooting, hundreds of protesters gathered near the scene, defying dispersal orders and creating ongoing security challenges. Local authorities say law enforcement continues to face resistance as they work to secure the area and protect the public.
As Minneapolis reels from the violent encounter, Pretti’s family is left searching for answers, highlighting the dangers that law enforcement officers face during protests that escalate into armed confrontations.
