"The Department of Homeland Security characterised the incident as an attack, saying a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defence after a man approached with a handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him. But bystander videos from the scene verified and reviewed by Reuters showed the man, identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, holding a phone in his hand, not a gun, as he tries to help other protesters who have been pushed to the ground by agents."
"The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault. Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job. But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety."
"As the videos begin, Pretti can be seen filming as a federal agent pushes away one woman and shoves another woman to the ground. Pretti moves between the agent and the women, then raises his left arm to shield himself as the agent pepper sprays him. Several agents then take hold of Pretti - who struggles with them - and force him onto his hands and knees. As the agents pin down Pretti, someone shouts what sounds like a warning about the presence of a gun."
US immigration agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an immigration operation, triggering fierce protests and condemnations. The Department of Homeland Security described the incident as an attack and said a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defence after a man approached with a handgun. Bystander videos verified by Reuters show Pretti holding a phone, not a gun, moving between agents and protesters, being pepper-sprayed, pinned to the ground and struggling as agents restrained him. Local leaders demanded an end to the operation. Political figures issued starkly different responses, including calls for accountability and accusations of incitement.
Read at Irish Independent
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