Michael and Susan Pretti are demanding answers from the Department of Justice after spending nearly ten months in silence following the death of their son, Alex Pretti. A U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, Alex was fatally shot by immigration officers in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, a massive enforcement effort that saw thousands of agents deployed across Minnesota. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, the Prettis expressed their frustration and grief, claiming that federal officials have systematically ignored them and worked to shield those responsible for the killing.
The tension extends beyond the family to a growing legal battle between state and federal authorities. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty recently revealed that the federal government has ceased sharing critical evidence with Minnesota investigators. While there was a brief period of cooperation earlier this year involving body camera footage and digital records, Moriarty alleges that the Department of Justice is now obstructing her office’s attempt to hold federal agents accountable. The county attorney has since filed a motion for summary judgment to force the release of withheld documents and evidence regarding both Alex Pretti and another victim, Renee Good.
In response to these accusations, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice stated that communication with victims’ families does not typically happen during active investigations. According to the agency, updates are generally reserved for later stages such as indictments or trials. However, attorney Steven L. Schleicher argues that his clients are legally entitled to this information under the Crime Victims Rights Act and questioned what exactly the government is trying to hide from the public eye.
For Susan and Michael Pretti, this fight is about more than just legal procedure; it is about restoring their son’s reputation. They claim that early narratives pushed by the administration attempted to slander Alex’s memory to justify the shooting. As they wait for justice through a clogged legal system, they maintain that allowing federal agencies to investigate themselves without state oversight is morally wrong and fundamentally unjust.
