The recordings, captured on January 13, show Pretti shouting obscenities and kicking the taillight of a federal vehicle, leading to gas mask-clad agents violently taking him down.
In the footage, what appears to be a gun on his waist can be seen, although at no point is Pretti shown attempting to reach for the weapon. After the scuffle, Pretti managed to get away and was seen asking other protesters if they were safe. This prior incident has reignited political debate, being used by figures like Donald Trump Jr. to question Pretti's behavior.
However, the family's lawyer, Steve Schleicher, was firm in stating that nothing that happened a week earlier justifies Alex's murder on January 24. According to records, the fatal shooting occurred as Pretti was filming the agents on the street. On that occasion, he was surrounded by half a dozen officers; when one shouted that Pretti had a gun — for which he had a legal permit — two agents opened fire. Investigations and witness videos indicate that Pretti never drew the weapon or assaulted the officers; in fact, he was shot in the back while lying on the ground and only holding his cell phone.
Pretti, who worked as an intensive care nurse at the Veterans Medical Center, has been described by witnesses as someone who deeply cared about those affected by deportation campaigns. Currently, the Department of Homeland Security's investigative office is reviewing the new videos to clarify the events and determine if the agents from the initial altercation were involved in the final shooting.