Alex Pretti’s family say they have no answers nine months after federal agents killed him

Pretti Family Seeks Answers in Minneapolis Shooting Inquiry

Healfromzero.com – Alex Pretti’s family say they are still waiting for clear answers nine months after federal immigration agents fatally shot their son in Minneapolis. His parents say the lack of information about the federal investigation has deepened their grief and left them uncertain about what officials know.

Michael and Susan Pretti have accused the Department of Justice of failing to provide the communication required for victims’ families under federal law. Their attorney raised those concerns in a July letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, saying the family had received no meaningful briefing about the investigation into the death of their 37-year-old son.

Pretti, a US citizen and ICU nurse, was killed in January during a confrontation involving immigration agents. Video of the encounter has drawn intense scrutiny because early official accounts of the shooting differed sharply from what the recordings appear to show.

Family says silence has added to its pain

In the letter, Alex Pretti’s family say they have encountered repeated refusals from federal officials to explain the status of the inquiry. The family argues that the absence of transparent communication has made an already devastating loss more difficult to endure.

The government’s pattern of conduct is not only unconscionable, but unlawful.

The family met with Dan Rosen, the US attorney for the District of Minnesota, on July 13. That same day, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced that federal authorities had transferred substantial evidence connected to the shooting to local officials.

According to the family’s attorney, Rosen would not discuss or confirm the evidence-sharing arrangement during the meeting. The attorney said Pretti’s parents were left without basic information about the inquiry, including why federal officials would not explain the status of the evidence.

It is impossible to convey how the government’s refusal to engage in transparent communication with the Pretti family has compounded their heartbreak.

The letter says Rosen also declined to provide a legal explanation for withholding information. The attorney wrote that he offered only a broad response, saying he could not discuss the matter “for all kinds of reasons,” without identifying those reasons.

State officials seek the complete investigative file

Questions about access to federal records extend beyond the Pretti family. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said federal investigators initially agreed to provide evidence to state law enforcement but later stopped cooperating.

Ellison’s office is pursuing the remaining investigative material through litigation against the Justice Department. He has argued that prosecutors need the full file to fairly assess whether any action can be taken under state authority.

Any prosecutor can tell you you can’t go forward with half a file. You need the whole thing.

The Department of Justice and the US attorney’s office in Minnesota have been asked for comment. Alex Pretti’s family say they want more than a general assurance that an investigation exists; they want a direct explanation of how the shooting unfolded and whether officials have accurately described the available evidence.

Video footage challenges early public claims

Video captures the sequence leading to Pretti’s death and has raised questions about initial public statements from Department of Homeland Security leaders during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign.

Kristi Noem, who was then Homeland Security secretary, described Pretti as a “terrorist” who “attacked” officers after “brandishing” a weapon. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called him an “assassin” who had tried to kill federal agents. The video, however, does not appear to align with those early descriptions.

The recordings show federal agents on a Minneapolis street before the fatal encounter. Witness Nilson Barahona said agents had been trying to detain someone who ran into a donut shop. The business locked its doors, leaving officers outside on the street and sidewalk.

Pretti’s parents and their attorney are scheduled to speak publicly at an 11 a.m. CT news conference Tuesday, their first media appearance since his death.

Minneapolis Investigation FAQ

What is the Pretti family asking federal officials to provide?

The family is seeking meaningful information about the federal investigation, including an explanation of its status and why officials have withheld details from them.

Why does the investigative file matter to Minnesota authorities?

State and local prosecutors need complete evidence to determine whether they can assess the shooting and decide what steps, if any, fall within their authority.

When will Alex Pretti’s family speak publicly?

Pretti’s parents and their attorney are scheduled to hold a news conference at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday.