U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; YouTube/Good Morning America
The family of Alex Pretti — the 37-year-old ICU nurse who was shot multiple times and killed by United States Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis — is demanding answers and apologies.
In a sit-down Good Morning America interview with George Stephanopoulos that aired Tuesday, August 25, Michael and Susan Pretti along with Alex’s sister, Micayla Pretti, recalled watching the late nurse being shot and killed on television.
“No one called us,” said his father Michael. “That’s how we found out — watching it on TV. Watching our son be shot 10 times on TV in the back trying to help somebody.”
On January 24, Alex was shot amid the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. According to various videos of the incident, Alex — who seemed to be trying to help someone who was pushed at the scene — was pinned down on the street by multiple federal agents after he was seen using his phone to record. He was reportedly pepper-sprayed and disarmed of a gun (he had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota). He was then shot multiple times and declared dead.
“I was not shocked that he helped somebody,” his mother Susan said. “My shock is that he was murdered. And no one has given us the complete truth or anyone has been held accountable. And it’s been seven months.”
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During the interview, the family spoke about how there was more effort aimed at “vilifying” Alex and making it seem like it was his fault than there was “pursuing justice.”
The comments that were made by members of President Donald Trump‘s administration at the time are “disgusting,” Michael said.
“President Trump called him an agitator, possible insurrectionist. What does it feel like when you hear the president of the United States saying those things about your son?” Stephanopoulos asked the family.
“It’s so unpresidential,” Michael said. “It’s ridiculous that the leader of the free world speaks that way about an American citizen.”
YouTube/Good Morning America
The family claimed they have not heard from the president, Vice President JD Vance, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor Stephen Miller nor former secretary of homeland security Kristi Noem since Alex’s death.
“They don’t care,” Michael said. “They do what they want.”
Still, Susan said, “I expect an apology. Why shouldn’t we get one?”
Trump, 80, previously stated (via CBS News) that he wants an “honorable and honest” investigation into Alex’s death and will be “watching over it,” adding: “I have to see it myself.”