Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino spoke at a press briefing on January 25, where he blamed Alex Pretti for CBP shooting him to death in the cold winter streets of Minneapolis the day before. The Department of Homeland Security has been working to cover-up all of its recent shootings, claiming assault on an officer and fear of safety in Pretti’s case. While the feds work to demonize the 37-year-old ICU nurse, Pretti’s loved ones have spoken out to humanize him.

“We are heartbroken but also very angry. 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,” his parents stated.

Videos of multiple angles of the murder show agents on top of Pretti: When one officer removes his handgun from his person, a second officer watches then proceeds to shoot Pretti multiple times as he lays motionless on the ground. People in Minneapolis with carry permits are allowed to have firearms on them.

“When someone makes a choice to come into an active law enforcement scene, interfere, obstruct, delay, or assault law enforcement officers and they bring a weapon to do that, that is a choice that individual made,” Bovino said.

Bovino added how the CBP agents involved are actively working outside of Minneapolis for safety reasons.

“There’s this thing called doxxing, and the safety of our employees is very important to us, so we’re gonna keep those employees safe,” Bovino said.

Jessica Hauser, who said she was Pretti’s final nursing student, posted a message on Facebook explaining his mentorship and care for patients. Hauser said Pretti was calm, compassionate, and patient.

“I recognized his familiar stillness and signature calm composure shining through during those unbearable final moments captured on camera,” Hauser said. “It does not surprise me that his final words were, “Are you okay?” Caring for people was at the core of who he was. He was incapable of causing harm.”

Pretti supported Second Amendment rights and the U.S. Constitution as a whole, Hauser added.

“He spoke out for injustice and peace whenever he could, not only out of obligation, but out of a belief that we are more connected than divided, and that communication would bring us together,” Hauser said.

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