A new video purportedly shows Alex Pretti spitting at federal agents and damaging a government SUV days before he was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. The video does not alter the analysis of whether the fatal shooting was justified. However, it raises some obvious questions, including why Pretti was not previously arrested on multiple grounds. The videotape also contradicts the family’s account of the earlier encounter.
The new videotape shows a violent individual who forced the confrontation with officers. Pretti is shown screaming “f— you” repeatedly while flashing double middle fingers. A second tape shows him yelling “assault me Motherf—ker.” He then destroys the rear signal light and the surrounding area.
The attorney for the Pretti family, Steve Schleicher, issued a statement that:
“A week before Alex was gunned down in the street — despite posing no threat to anyone — he was violently assaulted by a group of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”
While some of us have objected that the videotape of the fatal shooting did not support initial claims of the Administration on Pretti threatening officers before the shooting, this video clearly does not support the claims of the family. Damaging the vehicle and spitting at officers are violent acts that are threatening to law enforcement. It was not a “violent assault,” but a justified takedown by officers. What is curious is the fact that Pretti was then let go by the officers.
Pretti should have been arrested and charged with a felony for damaging the vehicle and attacking officers. Since he was armed, he could have been charged with committing a felony in possession of a weapon.
I am mystified why Pretti was not arrested. He clearly damaged the car and appears to be resisting arrest. I fail to understand why the agents took him down but then failed to complete the arrest. It may be due to the mob that was forming. (Protesters bizarrely express surprise that the agents would move against a man who just damaged their vehicle).
Again, the videotape does not have bearing on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of the shooting. While it shows a history that may explain Pretti’s resistance before the shooting, the question is whether his actions created a belief that officers or others were in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. We still have to see the body cam footage to see what preceded an officer screaming “gun.” Many details still must be confirmed. Keep in mind, the question is not whether officers were right, but whether they were reasonable under the circumstances.
Here is the new videotape from the prior encounter:
It all boils down to those hallowed 250-year old Constitutional words, doesn’t it?
“…or the right of the people PEACEABLY to assemble (emphasis added), and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Like Jan 6, right? So many “peaceful” rioters chose to assemble at the Capitol building and proceed “seek” redress of grievances through violent assaults on police and destruction of property.
Huh?
WHO started it
Try the Capital police when the fired tear-gas for no reason. Because they failed to pay any attention to the wind. I came back to them. That got the protesters going then the rubber bullets started flying along with flash bang.
Why didn’t ICE arrest Pretti? There are several possibilities but here are my top 2 choices: 1) to avoid provoking a growing crowd . . . both for reasons of safety and PR. 2) Their presence was needed immediately elsewhere (they were trying to leave as Pretti kicked the car (they didn’t even appear to identify him, much less search him).
It’s worth noting that crowd control in these situations, which can include arrests, is usually handled by local LE who have been specifically trained and practiced for handling crowd unrest. In this case, neither the Mayor nor the Governor cooperated with ICE to provide the properly trained LE.
DOMESTIC. TERRORIST. Trump was right, again. Pretti was a member of an organized, fascist conspiracy to overthrow the United States government. He committed several federal and state felonies, on camera. The left will, of course, sanitize his biography and make him out to be a saint.
The left seems to finally have something to believe in, catalyzed by a pure hatred of something they don’t understand. So, out they go every day, demonstrating in favor of people they don’t even want in their city. Pretti is merely a new tool to apply, without love or regret. Too bad for this poor fellow, also caught up in the blur of hammered misconceptions and misaligned beliefs.
OK. Alex Pretti spit on a “federal agent” and kicked in the taillight of that officer’s vehicle 11 days before his brutal murder at the hands of several masked and armed DHS goons. I knew Republicans and MAGA would use this fact as justification for this atrocity. Rather than grasping at straws, it is a moral lapse, a black hole eating at America. It has its origins from within the Trump/Miller administration. Stephen Miller of the hooded eyelids may be on his way out. But it’s too late for Alex and Renee.
DJT sent Tulsi Gabbard to the Fulton County elections office to retrieve God knows what (2020 ballots?) after having sent Blondi on an errand to Minnesota to get her hot little hands on that state’s voting rolls. The attempt to sabotage the 2026 elections is underway.
Keep crying… By chance did you notice he was armed again.
I wonder if he had a carry permit that time?
DustOff,
Good question. And did he have a valid ID on him, which is required when carrying.
Another question I have is did he have the two additional magazines on him, as he did the second time he confronted LEOs, giving him access to 63 rounds of ammunition?
Dustoff and Upstate: AND, why was his weapon concealed (CC) the second time, but open carry in the first incident? (although it looks like he removed his jacket in the earlier incident, so it may have originally been concealed?) The addition of magazines also might differentiate between the two?
Lin,
Another thing I was wondering is, if after this confrontation/altercation/assault on LEOs, is that when he decided Rambo up and to start carrying the two additional magazines?
Precisely. That’s what I was referring to in my last sentence. You said it more clearly.
And it’s a little strange that his family talks about his “broken rib” (without mentioning his violence) but he remains quite active and agitated for the remainder of the video in the earlier incident.
I would guess, maybe pain killers.
Hard to tell not knowing if he had and what it was.
Dustoff, I was referring to his actions in today’s video, showing his activity right after his take down. His family said that ICE broke his rib apparently during this incident, -not on the day he died. As I said, “he remains quite active and agitated for the remainder of the video in the earlier incident,” not like a person in pain with a broken rib.
but watch the video above carefully. Does it look like ICE roughed him up to the possible point of breaking a rib? Notice that from the get go, his torso and rib cage are always above the ground; his posture protectively hunched like a turtle’s back, protecting his frontal side. As for the posterior side of his rib cage, I don’t see any violent punches to them? His prior posted videos show an athletic person engaged in enough cardio-pulmonary exertion to enhance/preserve some good bone there. I’m just musing, that’s all.
“when he decided Rambo up and to start carrying the two additional magazines”
You have been slinging that same rank horse manure on this site for days now. You are becoming as disgusting as some of the left-wing mentally challenged fools here. Frankly, I am beginning to wonder if your claimed politics aren’t just a ruse. Since you refuse to take my word for it, here is a video by Massood Ayoob, an extremely respected, widely acknowledged authority, who literally wrote the book on carrying and using handguns for self-defense (actually, he has written several), on why it is prudent to carry extra ammunition and “magazines” (that word is the plural of “magazine”, btw).
Massad Ayoob: Three reasons why you need to carry extra ammo and magazines – Critical Mas Episode 28
Re: Ayoob video – BTW, for those who are latecomers to my dispute with Upstate Farmer on this, I am not defending Pretti the slightest bit. I am vehemently condemning the idea that carrying extra magazines for one’s self defense weapon is in any way irresponsible, or to use UF’s denigrating terminology, “Ramboing it up”…
Upstate
A good question we will never get the answer to.
He should have listen to his parents.
At the 1:18 mark, you can clearly see he has a gun under his belt on his backside. That’s kind of a big deal. I’m surprised they didn’t disarm and arrest him. Maybe that’s why he thought he could continue bringing his gun to protests because nothing happened the first time he had a toe-to-toe with the feds. The family has verified that this is Pretti in the video.
“At the 1:18 mark, you can clearly see he has a gun under his belt on his backside. That’s kind of a big deal.”
Correction:
“At the 1:18 mark, you can clearly see he has a ‘Tactical Hand Gun’ under his belt on his backside. That’s kind of a big deal.”
Given my personal experience, and awareness of the difficulty of separating action from reaction, or fear from malice, in any chaotic situation, I can’t help but focus on the one fact that I can know, and consider particularly pertinent to the Pretti shooting, that being his possession of a second magazine. What possible reason would he have for bringing one?
No, it was not as an added layer of security or to commit mass murder. No civilian needs more than 17 rounds for self-protection and there is simply no evidence to support his intending mass murder.
But as is often the case, the lack of sound judgment behind an action is a strong indication of delusion at play. Pretti was, along with a great many other activists, clearly living a delusion. In his case, he was out to be a hero, out to be the much-admired, perhaps widely-heralded man of the hour to stand between the meanies from ICE and the doughy hysterics inciting them. But given his physical limitations, the booster his psyche needed to produce that heroic surge was prodigious firepower. Once adequately strapped, Pretti not only felt heroic but couldn’t wait to demonstrate it — no matter how ignorantly.
If you think this is just wild conjecture you should know that every time a first day cop takes to the field his supervisor hopes like hell the rookie’s gun remains holstered.
Whether he had one magazine or a dozen is irrelevant. Any 2nd amendment supporter would point out that it was legal and his right to carry as much ammo as he wants. He could have been open carrying an AR if he wanted to like Rittenhouse at a protest.
X: “it was legal and his right to carry as much ammo as he wants.”
Legal or not, the extra magazines speak to intentions.
Bad intentions [or delusions] under these circumstances.
As you said, as much ammo “as he wants,”
But why did he “want” more ammo than was fired in the Gunfight at the OK Corral?
Bad guy. Evil intentions.
Plus he didn’t have his permit to carry.
Thank you for informing me of the irrelevance of the man’s mindset. I didn’t realize that lessons can’t be learned by understanding the kind of mindset that leads people to suicidal stupidity. I also didn’t realize that, in the civil and possibly criminal cases to follow, the man’s mindset would be irrelevant. How stupid of me not to realize that the only factor of any relevance in this matter is the opinion of a 2nd Amendment supporter.
Give it up george
You fools have hated guns for a very long time. But now that he’s one of your own, it’s OK…
What a fool.
This was before local law enforcement were involved – is it really a surprise he wasn’t arrested? I won’t mince words: I, and many others, are done with the gaslighting. It isn’t going to work this time.
This guy was part of the network, he was there to explicitly to cause trouble, and he was armed, period. THAT is the fact that seems to perfectly fine with the detractors, and it stinks. I am sick of the left holding the country hostage every year with its madness and puerility. Enough. He wouldn’t be dead if he wasn’t a ****ing deranged agitator. Legitimately peaceful protestors go home at the end of the day.
James
Odd isn’t it. For years the dems have said over and over. You don’t need a gun.
Pretti brought one and now the left. Hey thats OK. He had a permit to carry.
James,
Exactly.
What we are seeing is a pattern of behavior. He belong to and was active in ICE Watch. He attended these mob protests. He confronted, assaulted LEOs and damaged government property. He is not adverse to using violence. And in both situations, he was armed and carrying. Add that to his willingness to use violence, resist arrest, suggest questionable mental health issues. Had his family seen this video, perhaps they could of used one of those Red Flag laws, got his firearm removed and got him professional mental health.
. Agree , James. Brush off the gloss. The honking horns and noise causes wonder as these people mysteriously under a spell to protect known felons. It’s eery.
Chaos Is Spreading Like Cancer. What Happens Next?
(Monologue) Chaos spreads like cancer in Minneapolis. What happens next?
Tucker Carlson – TCN • January 28th 2026 • 98 mins
https://tuckercarlson.com/tucker-show-shellenberger-2
IT’s time to revisit/reassess/reconsider Thomas Hobbes and John Locke
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were influential English philosophers who profoundly shaped political thought, particularly regarding the social contract, but differed dramatically on human nature and government: Hobbes saw humans as selfish, needing an absolute sovereign for security (Leviathan), while Locke viewed people as reasonable, advocating for limited government to protect natural rights (life, liberty, property). Their contrasting views shaped debates on authority, individual freedom, and the role of government, heavily influencing later thinkers, including America’s Founding Fathers.
Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679)
Human Nature: Inherently selfish, driven by fear and self-preservation.
State of Nature: A chaotic “war of all against all,” where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”.
Social Contract: People surrender nearly all rights to an absolute sovereign (Leviathan) in exchange for order and security.
Government: Favored absolute monarchy for stability, believing rebellion leads back to chaos.
John Locke (1632–1704)
Human Nature: Generally reasonable, cooperative, and possessing natural rights.
State of Nature: A state of peace and freedom governed by natural law, where individuals are equal.
Social Contract: People consent to a government to protect their natural rights (life, liberty, property).
Government: Supported limited government with power derived from the people; citizens have the right to overthrow a tyrannical government.
Key Differences Summarized
Human Nature: Hobbes (selfish/bad) vs. Locke (reasonable/good).
Purpose of Govt: Hobbes (security/order) vs. Locke (protect rights).
Sovereignty: Hobbes (absolute sovereign) vs. Locke (the people).
Right to Revolt: Hobbes (no) vs. Locke (yes, if rights violated).
—
Hobbes, Locke, and the Social Contract
The 17th century was among the most chaotic and destructive the continent of Europe had ever witnessed in the modern era. From 1618-1648, much of Central Europe was caught in the throes of the Thirty Years War, the violent breakup of the Holy Roman Empire. The conflict marked by religious violence between Catholics and Protestants, shameless dynastic maneuvering, famine, disease, and other unimaginable atrocities, still ranks among one of the largest disasters to affect Europe to this day. England and Scotland also became engulfed in a civil conflict in this period between royalist supporters of the Stuart Dynasty and supporters of Parliamentary rights that had religious dimensions as well. Though the war only lasted approximately ten years, the instability it caused in the form of continuing guerilla warfare, famine, revolution, and intermittent rebellion lasted for the next few decades. These decades of suffering and instability produced by these wars raised many questions about human nature, civil society, and most importantly, how to structure government to effectively prevent further breakdowns in public order. This had the side effect of producing two of the brightest political minds in the English philosophical tradition: Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and John Locke (1632-1704). …
By: Matthew Shea • Updated July 28, 2025 • May 4, 2020
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/hobbes-locke-and-social-contract
Why reconsider? The FF based their philosophy on Locke, as well as others such as Montesquieu. Are you implying that we should dump the idea of republican government for that of a monarchy/aristocracy, which seems consistent with post-modern liberals such as Vance?
Weigh both sides of the arguments of Hobbes and Locke and etc. (Montesquieu)… I imply that there are merits to them all but also consequences. “reconsider” where we are going today as a society. Some say Revolution leaning to Hobbes, Others say multiple division of Factions will form individual Governmental forms leaning to Locke, and yet the Nihilist and Anarchist will always be there to fill the gaps.
The good news is: “The Spirit of Laws” Montesquieu suggest will be employed by the Modern Revolutionist of Hobbes as will the Self-Governing Modern Factions of Locke.
Technology and whom controls it is a primary consideration is the future of Modern Governments, as it provides the infrastructure to run the respective Social Contract(s).
I won’t be around to see this evolution, but if I were to guess, maybe by 2075 (in 50 years) this may be the case.
Minnesota lawmaker makes some reasonable points about how slogans about the right to carry and to film are being used to obfuscate the circumstances of the case, which are all important.
So you’re in AR, an old retired fart, and you imply you know MN evidence laws?
Don’t pretend all states have the same rules and procedures.
I only said the Minnesota lawmaker in the video made some reasonable points. He is in a good position to know Minnesota law. I doubt you watched the video, and I doubt you ever will. Your actions show that you’d rather just throw flames than engage in reasoned discussion.
“The video does not alter the analysis of whether the fatal shooting was justified. However, it raises some obvious questions….”
Thank you for including that statement right up front, Professor Turley.
I believe a majority of us join you in that clarification.
Join you? You’re kidding.
Lin,
Well said and I agree.
Seeing more and more videos of this kind of TDS behavior, one has to question the mental state of these people. TDS started out as a joke but has become a reality.
Entitlement
Define terrorist. Define demonstrator. Then …
MSM left and right–> terrorists. Difference is left is 100% lies and spin. Right less so… the environment is hostile, terror inducing.
Wise people go outside and garden or …
” justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.” Here comes a trillion dollar lawsuit.
His assumption ICE knew him personally…. targeted?
“We haves lots of files”, unknown ICE agent to an anonymous street level provocateur last week.
Two different agencies border patrol and immigration, that was a BP taillight and ICE shooting. To question why BP let him go in Minnesota is a circular question always arriving at the same conclusion lack of respect for the law.by local authorities.
. George Floyd territory but even if found guilty, pardon.
The story about angelic Alex Pretti who turns out to be an evil person is so typical of what I see in Democrats. Democrats have become, on the whole, bad people who hate America. Sadly, until more of them pay for their socialist “revolution”, they’re not going to stop. So help them out by making it costly to be constantly anti-American.
“Pay for…” So you’re calling for civil war?
I don’t know why you would be shocked that he wasn’t arrested – when he should’ve been. This happens every day. Violent protestors assaulting innocent civilians, journalists, and law enforcement officers and LE stand down. I can only assume the orders are coming from their superiors. The only time the violence makes the news is when one of these violent aggressors (who have been allowed to break the law for years w/o consequences) actually gets arrested or is killed. If LE (being told to stand down by their superiors/politicians) hadn’t let this behavior continue unchecked for years their behavior wouldn’t be escalating leading to where we are now.
Arrest? How do you corral a hundred demonstrators so they can be arrested when you have a crew of 6, maybe 8 at an arrest.
The government should go after the Pretti estate for the damages caused to their vehicle. May he rot in hell.
Yes, his estate should pay. No, we should not hope he rots in hell. Even if that seems the likely outcome – we shouldn’t hope it.
That’s your best shot?
Take it from the massive payout for wrongful death that’s coming
That’s to be determined, he wasn’t black so he won’t have the race card. There’s now video of him previously participating in the commission of several felonies while armed and resisting arrest with violence while in possession of a firearm given his previous actions, further evidence suggests that he was engaged in an organized group conspiring to track, shadow, harass and disrupt federal law enforcement operations…..don’t hold your breath but we will see.
It’s interesting to note that, had Pretti been arrested during his earlier encounter with ICE agents, he would likely be alive today — unless, of course, he was let out on bail. He seemed determined to vent his rage in both encounters.
Vent … as did 10,000 others. Many armed. Willing to die for the cause.
By all means let’s help them!
Hahahaha! That’s a good one! They are venting and in this instance, he got ventilated. I’m so mad at those mean old ICE officers arresting pedophiles, rapists and murderes! Ok, you can have them but the drunk drivers and dop dealers can stay…
Minnesota gets what they deserve 84,000 Pirates stealing them blind!
Had he been let out on bail, there would’ve been a list of conditions like stay away from ICE or your permit to carry is revoked or restricted.
What struck me when I saw this video is that no kicking and no spitting were a couple of my rules for two-year-olds. Also no biting.
If he had been arrested and charged for this assault and destruction of government property, he might still be alive today. The professor is right in saying it is baffling that the officers who had him under their physical control by the end, did not arrest him.
He was targeted. Sought out and targeted. They corralled him into a trap. Any fool can see that.
That is not at all apparent from the video.
“He was targeted. Sought out and targeted. They corralled him into a trap.”
Explain precisely how they targeted and trapped him. Give us enough detail to convince a reasonable person.
Diogenes,
How does one “Sought out and targeted,” a person, who by their own free will, showed up to a protest and is the one who approached LEOs?
One can’t, so I doubt Anonymouse will reply. In any event, his response would be easy to debunk.
. Btw, Dio, estrogen poisoning on SCOTUS, too.
OldManFromKS,
I agree with you and the professor. But based off the video, the mob was getting more hostile even after witnessing Pertti spit on the LEOs and damaging a government vehicle. I would suggest the LEOs figured the situation could become worse and had to make a on the spot decision to let him go, de-escalate the situation.
This video corrects the narrative that HE was violently tackled by LEOs and it was HE who confronted the LEOs and initiated the violence. And by the video, he was also carrying a concealed weapon too. Nothing wrong with that, it is his 2ndA right. But as the good professor points out, carrying while committing a felony by assaulting LEOs?
As I stated in the other column about this very video, this is what TDS looks like. And that one you posted about that DNC treasury guy, screaming at those two young women.
This and that is what hate and rage look like. Democrats, the sane and normal ones, these are the people you need to kick out of your party.
Upstate – good points all around. The video I linked about has additional information about how a person legally carrying a weapon has extra obligations to retreat from confrontational situations and not make them worse.
UpstateFarmer wisely writes, “But as the good professor points out, carrying while committing a felony by assaulting LEOs?”
It was a class-A Darwin Award. Only someone with a profound lack of judgement would do what Pretti did. Even his parents begged him not to. Sorry he’s dead, but there it is.
Diogenes,
I have taken two CCW classes. One of the things they teach is when interacting with LEOs, even a traffic stop, you are required to inform them you are carrying and have a valid permit. It was also strongly suggested that you keep calm, keep both hands in plain view and obey all orders the LEOs directs at you. Otherwise, you would be in big trouble.
Also, I would call that common sense.
Me, too.
Do they have authority to do so? Attacking a federal officer is a federal offense? Is attacking a federal officer a State offense? These are citizens.
^^^ I’m baffled too.
It’s baffling. Minneapolis is a cesspool of organized crime. RICO all the way to governor. Hannibal Lester is my neighbor. Leave him alone! Bizarre
I’ve got to get back to the radio now. Some great accordion music coming on. /s
Seriously, accordion….
If the mob was circulating then arresting may have made it worse with no actual back up to rely on. Releasing him was the best call at the time
Really. After finding a load 9mm on him.
Yes really. The mob will do mob like things. You think simply because he is armed that it would warrant his arrest when the mob is filled with unhinged people who can’t be reasoned with…. I mean go ahead however you’ll likely add more body counts with the impending mob rage that takes over and ensue more chaos.
Yes. Mob rule can be an issues. Although I’d still start blasting on em
What leads you to believe ICE “found it on him”?
In the video, we could barely see the outline of the gun under his clothing. No way they are going to leave a firearm on somebody who could use it on them seconds after they let him go.
so basically what we know is Democrat Terrorists are allowed to operate in Democrat cities and states!
We do not know that. Your source please.
The source is all over media! These creatins (I won’t call them “animals” because it’s insulting to animals) have a funding source that pays for their signs, gasmasks, bricks, salary, etc.
They use encrypted apps to put out a call “to all creatins” to show up to “resist” LEGAL law enforcement ops. They have “resistance” classes and printed instructions, they destroy private property (ie, hotels) on the SUSPICION ICE officers are there, disturbing the peace of everyone staying there.
They ram ICE officers’ cars, even aiming their cars at ICE officers, and spit in their faces. To make it worse, ICE calls 911 for police assistance, and they REFUSE to show up because they don’t enforce immigration laws!
Problem is…no one is asking them to enforce or arrest illegal aliens. They are requesting protection from a bunch of creatins, one of whom bit off the finger of an ICE officer! PROTECTION just like everyone else gets, except them!
These creatins are pushing the limit. If you look at the Federal felony code for what constitutes an insurgent, you’ll see their photos!
Dems are stupid. For five years, all I’ve heard is that Trump caused an insurrection when, if you watch and listen to the UNEDITED tape from Jan 6, 2021, Trump NEVER told his supporters to attack the Capitol. He told them to march peacefully and patriotically to the Capitol. Now, the Dems are telling their supporters to “HUNT ICE down!”
With the Dems, the “Ends justifies the means!” The “ends” meaning they stay in power, gain more power, and become wealthier. The “means” is enciting riots and insurrections…even Civil War. These creatins are tools for the powerful, puppets for the puppeteers.
Yes, it was unfortunate two lives were lost. But nowhere do I hear Fake News or these creatins even mention once the name of the people murdered or killed by illegal aliens. These were not two lives, but HUNDREDS, if not THOUSANDS!
Young boys and girls raped, sodomized, and murdered! Young women and mothers raped, sodomized, and murdered! Father’s, mothers and young children murdered by illegal aliens who couldn’t read, read English, speak English or follow road signs. US Citizens crushed between two 18-wheelers.
The Dems say they are on the side of empathy and morality. Really??? If that is empathy and morality, then I am happy to stay where I am…on the side of reality and TRUE compassion!
The source is the demonstrated Democrat Terrorists operating in Democrat cities and states. Pay attention!