Alex Pretti’s parents accuse DOJ of ‘shielding’ killers 275 days after his fatal shooting

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: The parents of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was fatally shot by immigration agents in January, are accusing the Department of Justice (DOJ) of withholding crucial information about their son’s death.

They say federal officials have failed to provide meaningful updates and are demanding transparency as state investigators continue to fight for access to the complete case file.

On Tuesday, October 27, Michael and Susan Pretti spoke publicly for the first time since their son’s death, accusing the federal government of “shielding Alex’s killers.”

Their concerns follow months of disputes over evidence-sharing between federal and Minnesota investigators. The family also alleges that the DOJ has violated their rights under federal victims’ rights law.

Alex Pretti’s parents accuse DOJ of withholding evidence

In a July letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, an attorney representing the Pretti family said they had received no substantive updates about the investigation.

The letter described the department’s approach as “cruel” and stated, “The government's pattern of conduct is not only unconscionable, but unlawful.”

The family met with Dan Rosen, the US attorney for the District of Minnesota, on July 13, the same day Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced that federal officials had handed over substantial evidence to local investigators.

However, according to the letter, Rosen refused to provide information to the family or even confirm the evidence-sharing arrangement acknowledged by local officials.

The letter said the repeated refusals had added to the family’s grief. It also claimed Rosen declined to explain his position, saying only, “I can't tell you for all kinds of reasons.”

Michael Pretti said the family had decided it could no longer remain silent about the department’s conduct.

“We will no longer stay silent about the actions of the Department of Justice in the 275 days since Alex's murder,” he said.

Their attorney, Steve Schleicher, said the family had received no response from the DOJ since sending the letter.

“I've never seen a family treated with such cruelty and disrespect,” he said.

Keith Ellison demands full Alex Pretti case file

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is leading a lawsuit against the DOJ, said federal investigators had stopped cooperating with state law enforcement after briefly sharing evidence.

Speaking to CNN’s Sara Sidner on Tuesday, October 27, Ellison said state officials were fighting to obtain the remaining case file and might need a court order to secure it.

“Any prosecutor can tell you, you can't go forward with half a file. You need the whole thing,” Ellison said.

In its response to Minnesota’s lawsuit, the DOJ argued that it was not required to hand over evidence to a state agency before an active court case was underway.

The dispute has left local prosecutors without access to important evidence, including the weapons used in the shooting and the firearm Pretti was carrying in his waistband, according to court records filed on October 13.

The family’s letter asks the DOJ to identify the federal employees who shot Pretti, confirm whether the FBI is continuing its investigation, share information with state and local investigators, and return any of his personal belongings that are no longer needed as evidence.

“No family should have to beg the US government to do its job,” the letter states. “And no government should act with such caprice.”

Schleicher declined to say whether the family would file a separate lawsuit but said they would pursue every available option to seek justice for Alex.

Alex Pretti shooting video contradicts official accounts

Pretti’s death drew scrutiny after video footage of the January shooting appeared to contradict the initial account provided by federal officials.

Kristi Noem, who was then the Department of Homeland Security secretary, initially described Pretti as a “t*rrorist” who had “attacked” officers after “brandishing” a weapon.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also referred to him as an “assassin” who tried to kill federal agents.

However, footage of the encounter showed Pretti being pepper-sprayed as he tried to intervene in a scuffle between an observer and immigration agents.

An officer could be heard shouting, “Gun! Gun! Gun!” while Pretti was on his knees and bent forward.

The video showed an agent removing a gun from Pretti’s waistband and moving away from the scuffle.

Another officer then appeared to fire several shots, followed by additional gunfire from another agent. At least 10 gunshots could be heard in the footage.

A Department of Homeland Security report on its initial investigation said an officer had shouted, “He's got a gun” multiple times before the shooting.

Michael Pretti said federal officials failed to contact the family on the day their son died but made public statements about him.

“No one from the federal government called us on that horrible day, but they did go on TV to tell lies about Alex,” he said.

Alex Pretti’s parents speak out about their loss

The dispute over evidence has unfolded alongside the family’s struggle to come to terms with their loss.

Susan Pretti told CNN’s Jake Tapper that living with the knowledge that their son would never return home remained deeply painful.

“It's difficult to get up every day, to function, to be a parent, knowing that your child's never coming home,” she said.

“No parent should have to live what we're living. No daughter should have to wake up and know that her only sibling is no longer here.”

She also spoke about the letters and cards the family had received from Alex’s colleagues, describing how they had helped her understand the impact he had on those around him.

“Every letter and card that we received from his colleagues, telling us who he was, at work … not only helping his patients but his colleagues,” she said, choking up.

“You know what that's like for a parent to hear? It is probably the kindest thing a parent can ever hear about their child.”

Michael recalled a happier memory from when Alex was about 6 years old. During a family camping trip, the young boy rode his new bike off a small bridge and into a creek.

“He comes back and he's soaked,” Michael said, smiling as his wife chuckled. He remembered the incident as a good weekend and suggested it may have helped spark Alex’s love of hiking and biking.