The parents of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse fatally shot by immigration officers in Minneapolis nine months ago, are demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) release all evidence related to their son’s death. During a news conference on Tuesday, Michael and Susan Pretti accused federal officials of “shielding” those responsible and failing to provide basic information, including the identities of the officers involved.
The shooting occurred in January during “Operation Metro Surge,” a large-scale immigration enforcement initiative. While the Department of Homeland Security initially characterized Pretti as a threat who brandished a weapon, his family and legal counsel maintain that video evidence contradicts the government's narrative. The family’s attorney, Steven L. Schleicher, argued that the DOJ’s refusal to share the full case file violates the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.
Stalled Investigations and Legal Conflict
The push for transparency comes as the federal government has reportedly stopped cooperating with Hennepin County prosecutors. Although an agreement to share evidence—including body camera footage—was reached earlier this year, local officials say the DOJ has since withheld key materials, such as the weapons involved in the incident. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has filed a motion for summary judgment in federal court to compel the release of the remaining evidence.
In response to the ongoing litigation, the DOJ has maintained that it is not required to share investigative materials with state authorities while no formal federal legal proceedings are underway. A spokesperson for the department stated that communications with victims' families typically occur only at later stages of a case, such as during an indictment or trial, and that the current timing is consistent with standard federal investigative practices.
