By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The death of Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti at the hands of Border Patrol agents raises serious questions about the agents’ actions and de-escalation tactics. Videos show that Pretti, who had a carry permit, never drew his gun before being tackled, contradicting official statements that he was brandishing it. Instead of de-escalating the situation, agents used pepper spray and excessive force on Pretti, who was attempting to help a woman. Following the use of force, Pretti was shot multiple times even after being restrained, prompting an internal investigation that may not fully address the critical questions of how a non-threatening situation escalated to a fatal shooting.
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Border Patrol agents started the scuffle that led to Alex Pretti’s death. It’s a conclusion that stems directly from the multiple videos capturing the events, offering a grim and undeniable narrative. The footage paints a clear picture of escalation, beginning with intimidation tactics and culminating in a brutal, one-sided altercation. The initial actions, characterized by aggressive shoving and pepper spraying, set the stage for the tragic end. The videos show an agent crossing a street, marching purposefully towards a group of people, and then initiating physical contact. This aggressive approach, rather than a response to any perceived threat, directly contradicts claims of Pretti instigating the confrontation.
The escalation of violence, as seen in the videos, is deeply disturbing. The use of pepper spray, followed by physical beatings, reveals a disturbing lack of restraint and a clear intent to inflict harm. The footage captures the rapid escalation from shoving to spraying, and then to blunt force trauma. The entire sequence suggests a deliberate display of power rather than an attempt to de-escalate or contain a situation. The images are very unsettling.
It’s clear, watching the videos, that the agents used excessive force, and the murder was unjustified. They keep trying to say Pretti approached them and instigated the event, even though the video shows he was grabbed from behind while trying to assist a woman the ICE agents had just assaulted. This kind of narrative manipulation, especially after the fact, is a common tactic, and it underscores the importance of the video evidence. It shows his actions were defensive, motivated by a desire to help, not to engage in aggression.
The aggressive behavior of the agents seems to contradict their supposed function. Why would Border Patrol agents, or ICE agents for that matter, approach individuals seemingly at random and initiate a physical confrontation? The videos show that it was the agents who approached the group. They started shoving people, and then escalated the situation further by pepper spraying Pretti.
The absence of body cam footage is another alarming piece of the puzzle. The fact that the relevant authorities haven’t released the body cam footage only adds to the suspicion of a cover-up. It’s an obvious question to ask; if the agents’ actions were justified, why not release the full picture? The refusal to release such a critical piece of evidence suggests an attempt to control the narrative and suppress the truth.
The rapid dissemination of a pre-approved narrative by authorities before the collection of facts is disturbing. The speed with which the official story came out, without waiting for a full investigation, further erodes trust. There are many examples of the administration deciding on the narrative. The narrative is often designed to downplay their role in the escalation, and to portray their victims in a negative light. The goal seems to be to control the public’s perception of the events, and to minimize the blame and legal consequences for the agents involved.
From a viewpoint outside of the United States, it looks like a calculated attempt to execute people in public, followed by a campaign of slander and lies. The implication is that these agents were acting on behalf of a political agenda, that the violence was not a random act, but a deliberate strategy. The very fact that this interpretation is reasonable to an observer speaks volumes about the level of distrust.
The question of whether there was a conspiracy to deprive Pretti of his rights, orchestrated by Trump, seems reasonable to ask. The incident, and the timing of it, does seem suspicious. The actions of the agents, the fact that Pretti had previously suffered a broken rib at the hands of law enforcement.
The lack of investigation from the media is a serious problem. The failure to ask the right questions, the reluctance to challenge the official narrative, is itself a form of complicity. There are so many things that aren’t being asked, like “Why are ICE agents antagonizing protesters on the side of the road?” or “Why is no one questioning the actions of these agents?”
It’s a horrifying thought that ICE agents, who are not authorized to perform crowd control or interact with civilians in this way, would approach a group of people peacefully standing on the side of the road. But that’s exactly what the videos show. They initiated the confrontation. There was zero reason for it. They approached the people with cameras, assaulted a woman, and then killed the man who helped her up.
The fact that the agent was on a “mission to crack skulls” is a direct conclusion based on his behavior. Every step of the way, the actions of the agent were violent, and an abuse of power. The agents acted like thugs, with no regard for the law or for human life.
The reality, as seen in the videos, is that Pretti’s actions were entirely defensive, without violence. He was trying to help direct traffic, he was helping someone else who was on the ground. He was reacting to their violence, not initiating it.
It’s easy to see how the government is looking for a scapegoat. The agents know they messed up. There’s no way to justify their actions. The videos speak for themselves. The truth is painfully obvious. The murder of Alex Pretti was not an accident, it was the inevitable outcome of a series of deliberate acts of violence.