Pretti family accuses US government of covering up son's killing

The parents of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, have accused the Trump administration of protecting federal agents involved in his death and obstructing investigations. Nine months after Pretti was shot and killed by ICE agents during migration operations in Minnesota, his family held a press conference to demand accountability from the Department of Justice.

Michael and Susan Pretti alleged that federal officials have provided insufficient information and have attempted to defame their son's memory. Following the incident on January 24, the Department of Homeland Security and former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem characterized Pretti as a person intending to cause mass harm to law enforcement. However, the family and legal representatives note that court documents show Pretti had no criminal record, and witness videos show him holding a mobile phone rather than a weapon.

Legal counsel Steven L. Schleicher stated that the Department of Justice's refusal to share basic information violates the federal Crime Victims’ Rights Act. Local officials in Minnesota have also reportedly accused the federal government of obstructing access to the scene and failing to cooperate with local authorities regarding the identity of the agents involved.