New videos have surfaced of an altercation between federal immigration officers and Alex Pretti nearly two weeks before he was killed in a confrontation with immigration enforcement officers on Jan. 24.
The newly released videos are reigniting national debate over the events leading up to Pretti’s death, which is already under intense scrutiny.
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Scuffle with immigration officers
The new videos appear to show the 37-year-old ICU nurse shouting, kicking the taillight and spitting at a government vehicle with immigration officers inside. An officer then gets out and appears to scuffle with Pretti, forcefully taking him to the ground.
Masked and helmeted officers also tried to subdue Pretti while others stood guard between them and the crowd. The officers set off tear gas canisters before ultimately letting Pretti go and withdrawing.
Pretti’s family has confirmed it is him in the footage and they were already aware of the encounter, according to an NBC News report.
Responses incoming
President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., shared the video online, with the remark, “Just a peaceful legal observer.”
Trump also shared the video on his Truth Social platform, but offered no commentary.
Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing Pretti’s parents, said in a statement the new videos of the earlier confrontation are irrelevant and don’t justify their son being killed on Jan. 24.
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The Border Patrol agent and the CBP officer involved in Pretti’s fatal shooting have been placed on administrative leave.
“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,” Schleicher said. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed its investigations division is now reviewing the footage.
