1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent, deeply troubled by the recent fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents. Mr. Pretti was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and a registered nurse who served veterans in the VA intensive care unit. The official narrative provided by the Department of Homeland Security and the current administration does not align with the clear evidence available to the public. Eyewitness videos indicate that Mr. Pretti never brandished his legally carried firearm. Instead, he was subjected to excessive force: pepper sprayed, physically assaulted, and ultimately shot while on the ground with his appearing to be guarding his head from injury. At no point did he appear to pose a threat to the agents or anyone else. The gun was unholstered and taken from him by ICE after he was already subdued. It is unconscionable that such a tragedy is being justified with misleading statements and false narratives. Our community deserves honesty, accountability, and leadership that stands up for the truth, regardless of political pressure. When government agencies are allowed to act with impunity and distort the facts, it erodes the very foundation of our democracy and endangers the rights and safety of all citizens. I urge you to: -Publicly demand a transparent, independent investigation into Mr. Pretti’s death. -Call for the release of all unedited video footage and relevant evidence. -Advocate for accountability for those responsible for the use of excessive force. -Reject and speak out against any attempts to mislead the public or justify unjust actions. This is not just about one man or one incident. It is about the values we hold as a society and the responsibility of our leaders to protect the rights and lives of their constituents. Silence in the face of injustice signals acceptance, and it signals that you support the same actions being taken against your own constituents who are exercising their constitutional rights in a lawful manner. I implore you to have the decency and courage to stand up for truth, justice, and the return of core American values. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing you take meaningful action.