Parents of Alex Pretti call out federal government for obstructing investigation into their son’s killing
Susan Pretti spoke of her son, Alex, in the past tense.
She talked about how kind he was, how joyful he was … how funny he was. Alex’s father, Michael Pretti, anguished over the fact he and Susan learned of their son’s killing by watching it on television. They both bemoaned the fact that nearly a year after his killing, the U.S. Department of Justice has not cooperated with the Hennepin County Attorney in the investigation of the Jan. 24 shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge.
The Prettis, who live in Colorado, were in Minneapolis to call on Attorney General Todd Blanche and the DOJ to work with local investigators to bring possible charges against the ICE agents who shot and killed Alex. Next to a table with mementos of Alex, including the stethoscope he wore as an ICU nurse with the VA, the American flag presented to the family after his passing and letters of sympathy sent by people who never met Alex, but were moved by his killing, Susan and Michael Pretti called out the federal government for its obstruction. Behind the Prettis were photographs of Alex during his last moments on earth.
“Do your job,” said Michael Pretti, speaking to Blanche through the assembled media at the Oct. 27 press conference. “Stop shielding Alex’s killers.”
Alex’s father was clear as to how he and his wife view Alex’s killing.
“We know exactly what our eyes saw. He (Alex) was murdered, plain and simple,” said Michael Pretti.
With a tone of both anger and grief, Susan Pretti said not only is the federal government stonewalling the investigation into her son’s killing, it’s actively working to undermine it.
“The federal government lied about Alex. They went on TV and lied to cover-up their crime,” said Susan Pretti. “We want our son’s killers brought to justice once and for all.”
The lie she is accusing the government of is that Alex, who was in legal possession of a handgun, was the aggressor in the encounter that resulted in him being shot 10 times.
This past week Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty told reporters the federal government was refusing to turn over any possible evidence related to the Jan. 24 shooting as well as to the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good. This comes after it was announced in July that the federal government would begin turning over all evidence it had in the case.
The family’s attorney, Steven Schleicher, said the lack of cooperation in the investigation is “baffling.”
“Why are they not providing evidence, information, in a murder case in Hennepin County to Hennepin County authorities? Why is it necessary for Hennepin County authorities to have to file a lawsuit to get evidence in a murder case in which they are entitled to,” questioned Schleicher.
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