At a Glance
- Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, honored veteran Terrance Lee Randolph on Dec. 10, 2024 before being shot by federal officers on Jan. 24, 2024.
- The incident sparked heated debate over the legitimacy of the shooting, with family and law-enforcement officials offering starkly different accounts.
- The event underscores the broader tensions surrounding Minneapolis’ immigration crackdown and the national conversation about law-enforcement conduct.
Why it matters: The juxtaposition of a heartfelt tribute and a controversial death highlights how quickly public perception can shift when new footage surfaces.
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Tribute to a Veteran
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at Minneapolis’ VA Medical Center, paid tribute to Terrance Lee Randolph, a 77-year-old veteran who had just passed away.
Pretti stood at the head of Randolph’s hospital bed, reading a speech that emphasized the cost of freedom:
“Today we remember that freedom is not free. We have to work at it, nurture it, protect it and even sacrifice for it,” Pretti said.
A video of the moment was shared last week. Randolph’s son, who identified himself as Mac, posted a caption that read:
“He read my dad’s final salute at the VA after he passed away. Never wanted to share this video, but his speech is very on point,” Mac wrote.
The clip shows Pretti speaking before a moment of silence, then the bed being escorted away.
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The Incident
On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2024, Pretti was shot and killed by federal officers amid Minneapolis’ crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
Key facts from the scene:
- Pretti was carrying a phone and a handgun, but the gun was not in his hands.
- Video evidence shows him holding his phone while being surrounded by agents.
- The footage contradicts claims that he was armed and posed a threat.
Family members released a statement describing the shooting as:
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” the statement read.
They added:
“Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand, and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.”
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Official Statements
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino offered a contrasting narrative on CNN on Sunday, Jan. 25. He said:
“The suspect decided to inject himself into a law enforcement action. What’s not being said here is the fact that Border Patrol agents and law enforcement are conducting a targeted law enforcement effort against a violent illegal alien that was nearby, and that suspect injected himself into that law enforcement situation with a weapon.”
The agency maintains that Pretti was an armed agitator, while the family insists he was unarmed and attempting to protect a woman.
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Investigation and Context
The shooting occurred during a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws in Minneapolis. The city’s crackdown has led to widespread protests and unrest.
A timeline of the key events:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 10, 2024 | Terrance Lee Randolph dies; Pretti delivers tribute |
| Jan. 24, 2024 | Pretti is shot by federal officers during immigration crackdown |
| Jan. 25, 2024 | Border Patrol chief releases statement on CNN |
| Ongoing | Investigation into the shooting continues |
The incident highlights the tension between federal law-enforcement objectives and the rights of individuals on the ground.
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Key Takeaways
- A heartfelt tribute to a veteran was quickly eclipsed by a controversial shooting.
- Video evidence shows Pretti unarmed, contradicting official claims of a threat.
- The family and law-enforcement officials present sharply divergent narratives.
- The case is part of a larger national debate over immigration enforcement and police conduct.
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