Witness in Minneapolis Border Patrol Shooting Case Alleges No Weapon Visible and Failure to Provide First Aid
A witness to the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by a Border Patrol agent has provided a sworn declaration in newly filed court documents, stating that he did not see the man brandish a weapon and that federal agents failed to render first aid after the shooting. This declaration, reviewed by USA TODAY, was submitted to federal court just hours after the January 24 killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen and Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, who was shot during an encounter with immigration agents conducting operations in the city.
Witness Claims No Weapon Was Visible During Altercation
In the declaration, which was submitted under threat of perjury, the witness wrote, "I saw him yelling at the ICE agents, but I did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind." The witness, whose name was redacted in the filing, is identified as a physician who lives near the scene of the shooting. He described waking early on a Saturday to the sound of "screaming from outside" and observing Pretti confronting immigration agents.
"Suddenly, an ICE agent shoved him to the ground," the witness wrote. "My view of the altercation was partially obstructed, but after a few seconds, I saw at least four ICE agents point guns at the man. I then saw the agents shoot the man at least six or seven times."
Allegations of Failure to Provide Emergency Medical Care
After the shooting, the witness said he attempted to assist Pretti and was alarmed by what he described as a lack of emergency medical care by the federal agents. The witness, identified in the filing as a pediatrician, expressed confusion over the victim's positioning, noting that it was not standard practice. "Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice," he wrote.
"Instead of doing either of those things," the witness added, "the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds." This allegation raises serious concerns about the agents' response and adherence to protocol in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
DHS Labels Incident as 'Domestic Terrorism'
In contrast to the witness's account, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters on January 24 that Pretti "came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation of federal law enforcement officers" and described the incident as an act of "domestic terrorism." Noem stated that the semiautomatic handgun and two magazines Pretti was carrying indicated an intent to "inflict maximum damage and kill law enforcement."
This conflicting narrative between the witness declaration and official statements from the Department of Homeland Security highlights the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings surrounding this tragic event. The case continues to draw attention as details emerge from court filings and public statements.
