Newly published video shows Alex Pretti in an altercation with federal agents in Minneapolis, less than two weeks before he was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol officers.
The video was published by The News Moment on Wednesday, Jan. 28. It was filmed on Jan. 13, 11 days before he was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol officers on Jan. 24. Pretti was 37.
A representative for Pretti’s family confirmed that Pretti is depicted in the video to CNN, CBS News and NBC News.
“A week before Alex was gunned down in the street — despite posing no threat to anyone — he was violently assaulted by a group of ICE agents,” Steve Schleicher, the attorney for the Pretti family, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”
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In the clip, the Wisconsin-born medical professional is seen approaching a government vehicle at what appears to be a protest.
Dressed in brown and tan winter clothing, he seemingly shouts at the individuals inside the SUV, while also striking it with his feet, as they eventually exit the automobile and come into contact with him after a taillight is broken.
An unidentified agent with a mask covering his face grabs Pretti and appears to place him on the ground. The camera filming the incident begins to shake as other agents are seen surrounding the situation.
A Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News, CBS News and NBC News that they are aware of the video. PEOPLE has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
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According to The News Moment, federal agents drove away shortly after the filmed incident.
On the day of his death, Pretti became the second U.S. citizen to be killed by federal forces in Minnesota this month, following the death of Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously told PEOPLE in a statement that U.S. Border Patrol officers were carrying out “a targeted operation” against “an illegal alien wanted for violent assault” when they encountered Pretti on Jan. 24.
She claimed the man, later identified as Pretti, a lawful gun owner with a permit, “approached” officers while armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” as they attempted to disarm him.
Videos shared by witnesses at the scene contradicted the DHS’ claims about the fatal shooting, including one that Pretti appeared to not be armed at the time of his killing. Others present said he was helping a woman from the ground just moments before he was pepper-sprayed and shot multiple times.
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His family later released a statement in which they slammed the agency’s account of the shooting as “sickening lies.”
On Monday, Jan. 26, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) shared a tribute to Pretti, saying they were “heartbroken and alarmed” that a member of their community was shot and killed.
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“Our sympathies are with Mr. Pretti’s family, friends, co-workers, and students who remember him as compassionate, ethical, and committed to helping others — values we hold dear as nurses,” the statement said.
The organization promised to continue “to rally behind advocacy efforts grounded in health, justice, and compassion.”
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