Sister's Emotional Tribute Condemns Misinformation After Brother's Death in Minneapolis
The sister of Alex Pretti has shared a deeply emotional tribute to her late brother while strongly condemning the rampant misinformation that has emerged since he was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. In a powerful statement provided to CBS News and The Associated Press, Micayla Pretti remembered her brother as a kind, generous, and intelligent man whose absence leaves an unfillable void.
A Brother Remembered: Kindness, Intelligence, and Passion
"Alex was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into," Micayla Pretti stated. "He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe." She emphasized the profound personal loss, noting that she had the privilege of being his little sister for thirty-two years. "I will never be able to hug him, laugh with him, or cry to him again because of those thugs — and that is a pain no words can fully capture," she expressed with raw emotion.
Highlighting his character and dedication, she pointed to his work as an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, stating that his life goal "was to help someone — anyone." With heartfelt conviction, she declared, "My brother is, and always will be, my hero."
Condemning Politicization and Disinformation
In her statement, Micayla Pretti also addressed the troubling politicization of her brother's death, describing the experience of "hearing disgusting lies spread" about her sibling as "absolutely gut-wrenching." She posed poignant questions that resonate with broader societal concerns: "When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?"
This condemnation comes amid conflicting narratives from government officials. Members of the Trump administration have claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were acting in self-defense when they shot and killed the thirty-seven-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend.
Contested Circumstances of the Minneapolis Shooting
Alex Pretti was among a group protesting President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis on Saturday when he was gunned down by federal agents. The altercation was captured from various angles in cell phone videos, all of which appear to show Alex Pretti behaving nonviolently.
Despite this visual evidence, some administration officials have maintained the agents acted in self-defense, echoing claims made in the January 7th shooting of fellow Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters on Saturday, "This individual impeded the law enforcement officers and attacked them," before accusing Alex Pretti of "domestic terrorism."
Similarly, in a conversation with CNN's Dana Bash that aired Sunday, U.S. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino claimed Alex Pretti was "actively impeding and assaulting law enforcement" prior to his death.
Family and Lawmakers Push Back Against Official Narrative
Other lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle have pushed back against the administration's response to Alex Pretti's death. His parents, Susan and Michael Pretti, have described the "sickening lies told about our son by the administration" as both "reprehensible and disgusting." In a statement released on Sunday, they made a heartfelt plea: "Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man."
The tragic incident in Minneapolis continues to spark debate over law enforcement actions, the spread of misinformation, and the personal toll on families caught in political crossfires.
