The relatives of a Minnesota activist, shot dead by Border Patrol agents, expressed their “heartbreak and anger” following the incident, which was captured on video.
“The outrageous lies spread by the administration about our son are simply unacceptable. It’s clear that Alex was unarmed when he was attacked by the ICE agents who took his life,” the family stated.
Alex Jeffrey Preti was killed after six federal officers physically restrained him during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
“Heartbroken and angry,” his family characterized him as a dedicated nurse who devoted his life to helping veterans at a local VA hospital.
“Alex was a compassionate individual who deeply cared for his family, friends, and the veterans he served as an ICU nurse at Virginia Hospital in Minneapolis,” they added.
Footage showed Preti holding a cell phone and attempting to shield a woman as she was forced to the ground by ICE agents.
The situation escalated when he was pushed by the woman, pepper-sprayed, and then subdued by multiple agents.
Preti was seen struggling on the ground as he was overwhelmed by Border Patrol agents, at which point one officer took his firearm.
Shortly after, a series of gunshots rang out, resulting in his death.
His family labeled him a “hero.”
“Alex aspired to make a difference in the world. Sadly, he won’t be able to witness that impact. I don’t use the term hero lightly, but his final actions were to protect women,” the family shared.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Preti was armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, alleging that the officers felt their lives were in danger.
“Officers acted to disarm the suspect, but he resisted violently, fearing for both his own safety and that of the officers,” the Department of Homeland Security claimed.
Preti’s family rejected these assertions as “disgusting lies,” insisting he posed no threat to law enforcement.
“He was holding a cell phone in one hand, and his other hand was raised above his head, trying to protect the woman who had just been pushed down while ICE was pepper-spraying her,” they explained.
The grieving family appealed to the public to “share the truth about our son,” emphasizing that he was a “good man.”
