1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to demand an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by US Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026. The Trump administration's characterization of this incident contradicts video evidence and represents a dangerous escalation in federal overreach. Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital who cared for American veterans. He had no criminal record, held a bachelor's degree in biology, society, and the environment from University of Minnesota, and worked as a research scientist before becoming a registered nurse. On January 25, he was exercising his First Amendment right to demonstrate when he moved to help a woman who had been forcefully pushed to the ground by a federal agent. Multiple videos show Pretti holding a phone in his right hand with his empty left hand raised above his head. He was pepper sprayed, pushed to the ground, and surrounded by agents. One agent removed Pretti's legally permitted firearm from its holster before at least one officer fired approximately 10 shots, killing him. Despite these facts, White House Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino have labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist" and claimed he approached officers with a weapon. This is demonstrably false. The administration's justification relies on a memo signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi that labels filming law enforcement as "domestic terrorism," despite this being a constitutional right. Federal officials have not even contacted Pretti's parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, who learned of their son's death from an Associated Press reporter. I urge you to publicly call for an independent investigation into this killing, demand accountability for the agents involved, and oppose any federal attempts to criminalize constitutionally protected activities. The son of a veteran Pretti cared for said his father would be "honored in Alex's sacrifice, and ashamed of this current administration." Our veterans and our Constitution deserve better.