Alex Pretti did not brandish gun, witnesses say in sworn testimony

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Robert MackeyJanuary 25, 2026 at 05:04 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Two witnesses provided sworn testimony contradicting claims that Alex Pretti brandished a weapon before being fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. The testimonies were filed as part of an ACLU lawsuit against homeland security officials involved in immigration enforcement in the city. One witness, a children's entertainer who filmed the incident, stated that Pretti was assisting someone who had been pushed to the ground by agents and did not see him with a gun. The other witness, a physician, corroborated this account and stated that they were initially prevented from providing medical aid. Both witnesses' accounts challenge the Trump administration's narrative that the shooting was an act of self-defense.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 30% Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 40% Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 50% Kristi Noem 50% American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 60% Trump administration 60% Minnesota 60% Minneapolis ×270% Alex Pretti ×590%

Keywords

alex pretti 90% fatal shooting 90% witness testimony 80% federal agents 80% use of force 70% contradicting claims 70% sworn affidavit 60% minneapolis 50% self-defense 50%