By Image courtesy by Alex Pretti
The Video That Changed the Narrative
Initial reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Pretti “violently resisted” and brandished a 9mm handgun. However, a frame-by-frame analysis by the BBC and The New York Times tells a different story:
- The Interaction: Pretti was filming agents with his cellphone in his right hand.
- The Escalation: He stepped in after an agent shoved a woman to the ground.
- The Disarming: Video appears to show an agent pulling a gun from Pretti’s holster before shots were fired by other agents while Pretti was already pinned to the ground.
Trump Blames “Democrat Chaos”
In a series of Truth Social posts, the President lulled his stance on the shooting itself while pivoting to an attack on local leadership:
- Direct Blame: He accused Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey of inciting “insurrection” with their rhetoric.
- The “Assassin” Label: Despite the lack of evidence, top aide Stephen Miller repeatedly called Pretti an “assassin” on social media.
- Corruption Claims: Trump baselessly questioned the finances of local leaders, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, as a “cover-up” for state corruption.
Who Was Alex Pretti?
Far from the “domestic terrorist” description used by some officials, those who knew Pretti describe a “kindhearted soul”:
- Veteran Care: He was a dedicated ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
- Community Member: A Boy Scout and outdoorsman who had no criminal record.
- Protester: He was a lawful gun owner who had been moved to protest following the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good by federal agents.
Legal Action: Evidence Preservation
U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud has granted a temporary restraining order, barring DHS from altering or destroying any evidence. This comes as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension claimed they were physically blocked from the crime scene by federal agents on the day of the shooting
