Doctor Describes Disturbing Scene After Shooting of Alex Pretti

A physician who witnessed the shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents has provided harrowing testimony, stating that the agents failed to attempt life-saving measures while Pretti bled on the ground. The incident occurred in Minneapolis on March 22, 2024, and has sparked significant public outrage and scrutiny of federal law enforcement practices.

The unnamed doctor, whose account surfaced in a sworn court filing, contradicts the narrative presented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and officials from the Trump administration. They claim that Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, posed a threat by allegedly reaching for a weapon during the altercation. However, the physician asserts that Pretti was merely vocalizing his objections to the agents’ presence and did not brandish any weapon.

In his account, the doctor observed: “Suddenly, an ICE agent shoved him to the ground.” He described seeing at least four agents with their firearms drawn before they opened fire, hitting Pretti multiple times. The witness stated that he immediately rushed to the scene after identifying himself as a physician, only to be met with demands for his medical license, which he did not possess.

Despite Pretti being in critical condition, the doctor noted that “none of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR.” He felt a moral obligation to assist and continued to press the agents to allow him to help. Upon gaining access, the physician found Pretti lying on his side, a position he deemed inappropriate for someone who had been shot.

“Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice,” he explained. But instead, the agents appeared to be counting Pretti’s bullet wounds. After assessing the situation, the doctor discovered that Pretti had at least three bullet wounds in his back, one in his upper left chest, and potentially another on his neck. He began performing CPR until emergency medical services arrived and took over.

The aftermath of the incident left the physician shaken. He recalled feeling distraught upon returning home, stating, “I was sobbing and shaking uncontrollably.” Shortly thereafter, tear gas from an ongoing protest entered his apartment, prompting him to flee to a friend’s house, still overwhelmed by emotions.

Pretti’s death has intensified criticism of the actions of ICE and Border Patrol in Minneapolis, where federal agents have faced backlash for their aggressive tactics, including the shooting of another protester, Renee Good, also aged 37. Despite video evidence contradicting the official narrative, DHS maintains that Pretti intended to cause harm to law enforcement, with Secretary Kristi Noem describing his actions as “domestic terrorism.” Stephen Miller, a deputy chief of staff at the White House, accused Pretti of being an “assassin.”

The physician firmly disagrees with these characterizations. He stated, “The victim was not actively threatening ICE agents or the public — he was just yelling at the agents because he objected to ICE’s presence in our city.” His testimony raises serious questions about the conduct of law enforcement during such confrontations and the protocols followed in medical emergencies.

As the community grapples with the implications of this incident, the doctor expressed uncertainty about feeling safe in his city. “I do not feel safe in my city,” he lamented, highlighting the broader anxieties that have emerged in the wake of the shooting and the protests that followed.

This case continues to unfold, drawing attention to the intersection of immigration enforcement and community safety, as well as the responsibilities of federal agents in critical situations.