ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Suffered Broken Rib in Prior ICE Encounter Before Fatal Shooting
The tragic case of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, has taken a disturbing turn with revelations about a previous violent encounter. According to sources and correspondence reviewed by CNN, Pretti suffered a broken rib during an aggressive confrontation with federal agents just one week before his death. This incident highlights the increasingly confrontational approach taken by federal authorities toward observers and protesters during immigration enforcement operations.
Aggressive Information Collection Protocol Revealed
A recently circulated memo sent earlier this month to agents temporarily assigned to Minneapolis asked them to systematically collect comprehensive data on protesters and activists. The directive explicitly instructed agents to "capture all images, license plates, identifications, and general information on hotels, agitators, protestors, etc." The correspondence emphasized consolidating this information into a single standardized form for easier processing and analysis.
This formalized information gathering represents a significant shift from previous practices where agents informally shared details about protesters among themselves. The newly implemented form, titled "intel collection non-arrests," allows agents to document personal information about individuals they encounter during operations, even when no arrests are made.
The Violent Encounter That Preceded the Shooting
Pretti's previous encounter with federal agents occurred when he witnessed ICE agents chasing what he described as a family on foot. According to a source who requested anonymity due to fear of retribution, Pretti stopped his car and began shouting while blowing a whistle to draw attention to the situation. The confrontation quickly escalated when five agents tackled him to the ground, with one agent leaning forcefully on his back.
"That day, he thought he was going to die," the source revealed about Pretti's traumatic experience. Medical records reviewed by CNN confirm that Pretti received treatment consistent with a broken rib following this violent encounter, though agents released him at the scene without formal charges.
Department of Homeland Security's Official Stance
The Department of Homeland Security has consistently warned about threats against federal law enforcement officers during immigration enforcement operations. Officials have criticized protesters who they claim impede these operations, arguing that such interference creates dangerous situations for both officers and the public.
In a recent statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the information collection practices: "When our law enforcement encounter a violent agitator who is breaking the law, obstructing law enforcement or assaulting them, our law enforcement make records to advance prosecution. This is not ground breaking, it is standard protocol."
The department has also publicized an online tip form encouraging the public to share information about individuals allegedly harassing ICE officers, further emphasizing their commitment to documenting perceived threats.
Unanswered Questions and Broader Implications
Several critical questions remain unanswered in this developing story:
- It remains unclear whether the federal agents who encountered Pretti on Saturday recognized him from their previous confrontation before wrestling him to the ground, taking a gun from his waistband, and fatally shooting him.
- Pretti's name was reportedly known to federal agents, but investigators have not confirmed whether the new intake form was used to document his information.
- The extent of this information collection program remains uncertain, including whether other law enforcement agencies in Minnesota have adopted similar forms or protocols.
- What happens to the information collected through these forms remains opaque, though some Trump administration officials previously discussed creating formal databases of protesters.
This case raises significant concerns about the balance between law enforcement operations and First Amendment protections for protest activities. The systematic collection of information about individuals engaged in constitutionally protected activities represents a notable expansion of surveillance practices that could have chilling effects on public participation in immigration-related demonstrations.
The tragic death of Alex Pretti, following his previous violent encounter with federal agents, underscores the escalating tensions between immigration enforcement authorities and community observers during increasingly contentious immigration operations across the United States.
