1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

We, the undersigned concerned citizens, residents of Minnesota, Colorado, and across the United States, medical professionals, veterans, families, and advocates for transparency, accountability, and justice, urgently demand the immediate and unredacted public release of all body-worn camera (BWC) footage from the January 24, 2026, fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, a licensed gun owner with no criminal record, and a dedicated community member, was shot multiple times (at least 10 shots in under 5 seconds, per verified bystander video analysis) during an encounter with U.S. Border Patrol agents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly confirmed that multiple agents from the Border Patrol Tactical Unit were equipped with body-worn cameras, that footage from several angles exists, and that it is currently under review by federal investigators. Despite this confirmation, no footage has been released to the public, even as widespread bystander videos—verified by major news outlets including ABC News, The New York Times, and others—appear to contradict key elements of the official DHS narrative that Pretti "violently resisted" and posed an imminent threat requiring lethal force. Key reasons for demanding release: Transparency and public trust — Body camera footage is a critical tool for accountability in use-of-force incidents. Withholding it amid conflicting eyewitness accounts and videos fuels distrust in federal agencies, especially during a high-profile immigration enforcement operation that has already resulted in multiple civilian deaths. Resolution of conflicting accounts — Multiple independent analyses of bystander footage raise serious questions about the sequence of events, the necessity and proportionality of force used, and whether de-escalation protocols were followed. The body-worn camera videos, described as capturing the incident from "multiple angles," are essential to establishing the full truth. Justice for Alex Pretti and his family — Pretti was a U.S. citizen, a caregiver to veterans, and a bystander documenting events before the fatal encounter. His family, friends, colleagues, and community deserve clear answers, not selective narratives or delays. Precedent and legal obligations — Federal agencies have preserved this footage (with commitments to retain it for 75 years), and public interest in high-profile deaths involving government agents overwhelmingly supports release, consistent with principles of open government and precedents in similar cases. Preventing further escalation — Ongoing protests in Minneapolis, Denver, Boulder, and nationwide highlight deep public concern. Releasing the footage promptly could help de-escalate tensions, allow independent review, and demonstrate a commitment to fairness over secrecy. We call on DHS, CBP, and all relevant federal authorities to: Release all body-worn camera footage in full (with only necessary redactions for sensitive personal information unrelated to the incident) within 7 days of this petition reaching [insert target signature number, e.g., 100,000 signatures]. Allow independent forensic analysis by state investigators (Minnesota BCA) and make the footage available to Pretti's family and legal representatives. Commit to no destruction or alteration of the evidence, as already demanded in related lawsuits. Transparency is not optional in a democracy—especially when a life has been taken by federal agents. The public has a right to see what the cameras captured. Sign this petition to demand justice and accountability. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.