Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino has described his officers as “the victims” following the fatal shooting of a legally armed ICU nurse during a confrontation on the streets of Minneapolis.
Alex Pretti, 37, was shot dead by federal agents in broad daylight on Saturday morning near Glam Doll Donuts at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit and had no serious criminal history beyond some parking tickets.
Appearing on CNN on Sunday, Bovino was pressed by presenter Dana Bash over the circumstances of the shooting. When asked whether Pretti had ever drawn his weapon to threaten officers, the Border Patrol leader did not provide a direct answer.
Instead, Bovino placed responsibility on the deceased, stating: “We do know that the suspect did bring a weapon, a loaded nine-millimeter high-capacity handgun, to a riot.”
He added: “The victim, the victims are the Border Patrol agents. He put himself in that situation.”
Video footage released on Sunday shows Pretti approaching agents while holding his phone. One officer backed him toward the sidewalk before a struggle ensued. Further footage shows Pretti being pepper sprayed in the face as he attempted to push an agent away. Multiple officers then converged on the scene before shots were fired.
Bash challenged Bovino’s account, telling him that footage appeared to show Pretti “was approached by them when he was helping another individual who was pushed down.” She asked what evidence existed that Pretti had assaulted any officer.
Bovino responded by arguing that Pretti’s Second Amendment rights were voided by his actions. He said: “Those rights don’t count when you riot and assault, delay, obstruct, and impede law enforcement officers.”
The Department of Homeland Security said the incident began as a “targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault” and that Pretti had “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him. Officials confirmed Pretti was carrying two magazines, and the firearm has been recovered.
The shooting comes weeks after protester Renee Nicole Good was killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Politicians on both sides have condemned the latest incident.
An investigation is ongoing.
