William Morgan
The parents of the 37-year-old man shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis have shared what they spoke about in their poignant final phone call with their son.
An intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, Alex Pretti attended a counter-protest to a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) 'targeted operation' on Saturday (January 24), that Department for Homeland Security officials later said was looking for 'an illegal alien wanted for violent assault'.
But after a woman appeared to be pushed to the ground by agents at the scene, the passionate outdoorsman seemingly stepped in to help her up, but found himself surrounded by armed and masked agents.
In the many recordings of the incident, one of the officers can be seen taking Pretti's legally-owned holstered gun away from the struggle.
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Moments later, the nurse is shot at point blank range, followed by a hail of shots from other officers.
In total, 10 shots were fired. In the immediate aftermath, the now-withdrawn Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino claimed that he had attempted to 'massacre' his agents, something not supported by any video evidence.
Indeed, as more information about Pretti emerges, his motivation for attending the immigration raid seems to become clearer. His parents, Michael and Susan, shared with AP that their final call with their son had been about his garage door and the protests sweeping through Minneapolis.
They said that he had paid a $100 tip to a Latino man who had repaired his garage in response to the stresses facing migrant communities across the Twin City area. Michael and Susan added that they had spoken about no doing 'anything stupid' at the protests.
Dad Michael said: "We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically.
"And he said he knows that. He knew that."
The VA nurse's killing outraged Americans across the country and has led to an outpour of emotional tributes from people who knew Pretti as a 'kind' man.
Neighbor Jeanne Weiner told NBC that he was a 'gentle, good person' who would 'never, ever attack a police officer'.
This was echoed in a heartrending statement from his parents shortly after his death, who shared that they 'are heartbroken but also very angry'.
They said: "Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends, and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital.
"Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman.
"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. 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.
"Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you."