Pretti parents demand DOJ action after nine months of silence

Michael and Susan Pretti issued their first public statements since the death of their son, Alex Pretti, on Tuesday. The 37-year-old nurse died in Minneapolis in January after being shot by federal immigration agents. The couple accused the Department of Justice of shielding the officers involved and ignoring the family for nine months.

The parents called for the agency to hold those responsible for the killing accountable. They stated that federal officials have not provided meaningful information about the status of the case. Michael Pretti said the government ignored and misled them at every turn. He added that his family trusts American institutions and believes in the rule of law.

The Trump administration initially described Pretti as a domestic terrorist who was armed and attempted to harm agents. Officials claimed he violently resisted during immigration operations in Minnesota. Video footage contradicted that account. The recording showed Pretti holding a cellphone in his hand. He did not brandish a weapon or attack agents. Officers shot him in the back while he lay in the street.

Pretti had no criminal record and held a license to carry the handgun he wore holstered. Agents removed the weapon before opening fire. Susan Pretti said the federal government lied about her son on television. She stated that officials tried to slander his memory to cover up their actions.

The couple spoke after US Attorney General Todd Blanche and federal prosecutor Dan Rosen stonewalled them. Rosen agreed to meet with the family in July after months of outreach. He declined to provide basic information about the investigation. The administration has argued that Minnesota lacks jurisdiction to investigate federal officers.

Minnesota officials recently reported that the federal government stopped sharing information with state investigators. Those investigators are also looking into the death of Renee Good, another 37-year-old who was shot by an ICE officer during a protest in January. Susan Pretti told reporters the family is asking for accountability and for prosecutors to do their jobs.

The Department of Justice issued a statement to Reuters explaining its communication practices. The agency said communications with family members typically occur at later stages of a case, such as indictment or trial. The statement noted that such contact does not usually happen during an investigation.