Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

EarlG

(23,451 posts)
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:08 PM 20 hrs ago

The photo seems to disprove DHS's narrative

This is the man who was shot. This is a screengrab from a video that was taken by someone driving past in a car moments before the shooting. This was right as they were starting to take the guy down. You can see that he has a phone in his right hand and is (likely) filming.

I do not have the video available, although I have seen the video that this still comes from. This photo came from Reddit.



DHS said:

"At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted."

https://abc7news.com/post/minneapolis-shooting-today-federal-agent-reportedly-involved-gov-tim-walz-says/18463609/

https://www.foxnews.com/us/border-patrol-involved-shooting-reported-minneapolis

DHS also said that he had no ID (which is not a crime). Meanwhile local officials report that the man had a legal permit to carry. So he may have been "with" a 9mm handgun, but the the photo above, taken moments before the altercation which led to the shooting, does not show the man brandishing a weapon.

Edited again to add: The video has now been posted and can be seen on Bluesky (DU link here):

https://democraticunderground.com/100220965013

This is another screengrab from the video. Watch the video and you can clearly see that the man had nothing in his left hand as officers started to shove him, prior to wrestling him to the ground. This was not about trying to disarm somebody who was threatening them.

73 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The photo seems to disprove DHS's narrative (Original Post) EarlG 20 hrs ago OP
The guy's armed with a camera phone. Kid Berwyn 20 hrs ago #1
The more they try to silence us, the more we speak up and stand up. n/t yellow dahlia 20 hrs ago #16
EXACTLY!!!!!! IT WAS A FAWKING PHONE!!!!! a kennedy 15 hrs ago #57
Has his name been released? MagickMuffin 20 hrs ago #2
Alex Pretti. ShazzieB 10 hrs ago #62
Yeah, I already know the details MagickMuffin 9 hrs ago #63
Camera as Deadly Weapon leftstreet 20 hrs ago #3
I know. He was just being a rigorous citizen, and now he is dead. yellow dahlia 20 hrs ago #14
MPD Chief confirmed that he was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry Prairie Gates 20 hrs ago #4
Yup. He was exercising his 2A rights. herding cats 20 hrs ago #5
Exactly. yellow dahlia 20 hrs ago #11
Trump: "HE HAD A GUN, ONLY CRIMINALS CARRY GUNS ON OUR STREETS, WE NEED LAW AND ORDER." Ol Janx Spirit 8 hrs ago #67
NRA is too busy licking boots to be alarmed by such things quakerboy 6 hrs ago #70
Good Guy RobinA 20 hrs ago #22
We see no gun in either hand... Camera in right hand and left hand is empty (see bluesky video below) liberalla 19 hrs ago #34
DHS is claiming he walked up to agents with weapon drawn. Per MS NOW. Solly Mack 20 hrs ago #6
Don't believe your lying eyes. yellow dahlia 20 hrs ago #10
Damn eyes. Solly Mack 20 hrs ago #13
He had a gun that he was wearing a holster at the time. ShazzieB 9 hrs ago #64
Disgusting people. Solly Mack 9 hrs ago #66
Those fuckers at MSN censor every comment I make wolfie001 19 hrs ago #25
It's a digital pocket camera. People have been using these so as not to risk their phones. SunSeeker 19 hrs ago #32
Oooo, thanks for the reminder, I think I have 2 of those lil oldies but goodies around here. Attilatheblond 19 hrs ago #35
Thanks! Either way, not "brandishing" a gun. Solly Mack 19 hrs ago #36
The benefit to using a phone is being able to upload to the cloud as you record EdmondDantes_ 19 hrs ago #38
Download the SD card files in your phone via an adaptor dongle, when you are safely at home or in your car. nt SunSeeker 19 hrs ago #41
FAWK DHS!!!!!! IT WAS A FAWKING PHONE!!!!! a kennedy 15 hrs ago #58
Yeah, because everyone knows swearing bothers me. lol Solly Mack 10 hrs ago #61
It's a Rebl2 15 hrs ago #59
It's a weapon to the thugs because it exposes their actions. Solly Mack 10 hrs ago #60
Oh, man Lulu KC 20 hrs ago #7
Ill fitting child sized ballistic vest... Hugin 20 hrs ago #8
So it appears this guy was attacked and beaten for the crime of exercising his First Amendment rights. yellow dahlia 20 hrs ago #9
Blocking the door to the Donut Shop? leftstreet 20 hrs ago #18
He was on the other side of the street from the donut shop JHB 18 hrs ago #44
DHS is not to be trusted for one second. spanone 20 hrs ago #12
Kick dalton99a 20 hrs ago #15
I posted the video in an OP 10 minutes ago - see highplainsdem 20 hrs ago #17
Here.- found another Bluesky post with it: highplainsdem 20 hrs ago #19
The truth will come out. orangecrush 20 hrs ago #20
Why are these f-ers permitted to wear the word POLICE on their vests Hope22 20 hrs ago #21
This is the first time I noticed that electric_blue68 16 hrs ago #56
They were everywhere! Nt Hope22 8 hrs ago #68
I saw the various vids.... electric_blue68 8 hrs ago #69
Sorry for the misunderstanding. Hope22 52 min ago #72
Nazis wolfie001 20 hrs ago #23
Do NOT assume that the victim was brandishing a weapon. ICE lies, Safe as Milk 20 hrs ago #24
Asking my DU colleagues: AverageOldGuy 19 hrs ago #26
Exact. Justice matters. 19 hrs ago #37
How about Jackboots? Or Figarosmom 18 hrs ago #47
Bovino is fucking lying his ass off now on MSNOW. LuckyCharms 19 hrs ago #27
Good God! James48 19 hrs ago #29
That wee little fuck needs to be shuttled... LuckyCharms 19 hrs ago #30
And now they'll get the ammo they need to declare all-out war on us?... buzzycrumbhunger 19 hrs ago #28
Peacefully watching and recording ICE is a death sentence IronLionZion 19 hrs ago #31
Trump and his new Gestapo were in danger because he was brandishing a phone... ashredux 19 hrs ago #33
... littlemissmartypants 19 hrs ago #39
These Individuals Voted In Favor Of Continuing To Fund These ICE Murderers MayReasonRule 19 hrs ago #40
And every Republicans but one. creeksneakers2 18 hrs ago #48
I Expect It Of The Wholly Fascist Ongoing Criminal Enterprise That Is The GOP MayReasonRule 18 hrs ago #49
I want to remind everyone creeksneakers2 17 hrs ago #52
I Hold To Account Those That Commit The Offenses MayReasonRule 1 hr ago #71
There is more video of them pulling the gun out of the victims holster before the shot him Historic NY 19 hrs ago #42
Another video, apparently from the woman in the pink coat. The man was helping people, no gun in hand. SunSeeker 18 hrs ago #43
I'd bet they didnt even know Figarosmom 18 hrs ago #45
Footage from The Guardian that shows the murder -- at least ten shots fired by my count. ancianita 18 hrs ago #46
k&r nt orleans 17 hrs ago #50
When do we start calling out the credibility gap? EnergizedLib 17 hrs ago #51
Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center is skeptical of official narrative regarding shooting CROW50 17 hrs ago #53
there are at least 2 videos circulating barbtries 16 hrs ago #54
Kick electric_blue68 16 hrs ago #55
Seems like the agent who took Pretti's gun Blue Full Moon 9 hrs ago #65
Fox lying their asses off. Yeah...they were pursuing a 'dangerous illegal' travelingthrulife 50 min ago #73

MagickMuffin

(18,113 posts)
2. Has his name been released?
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:11 PM
20 hrs ago


Murdering people is going to become the norm, because this maladministration wants us dead.




MagickMuffin

(18,113 posts)
63. Yeah, I already know the details
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:12 AM
9 hrs ago


Been following news reports and videos of the execution of Alex Pretti.


yellow dahlia

(4,978 posts)
14. I know. He was just being a rigorous citizen, and now he is dead.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:32 PM
20 hrs ago

I'm so sad and SO angry.

herding cats

(19,982 posts)
5. Yup. He was exercising his 2A rights.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:19 PM
20 hrs ago

I dearly hope the firearm enthusiasts take note of just how fucking fast those rights flew out the window here.

It appears ICE twisted his constitutional rights into a valid reason to assault and murder him.

Ol Janx Spirit

(780 posts)
67. Trump: "HE HAD A GUN, ONLY CRIMINALS CARRY GUNS ON OUR STREETS, WE NEED LAW AND ORDER."
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:13 AM
8 hrs ago

That's going to be news to the 2A MAGA-heads.

liberalla

(10,882 posts)
34. We see no gun in either hand... Camera in right hand and left hand is empty (see bluesky video below)
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:36 PM
19 hrs ago

Need to find out if he was right or left handed.
He may have had a gun on him, but it wasn't visible (at least while he was standing up recording)

This is so so so fucked up!

Solly Mack

(96,531 posts)
6. DHS is claiming he walked up to agents with weapon drawn. Per MS NOW.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:20 PM
20 hrs ago

That looks like a phone to me, but my eyes could be lying to me.

yellow dahlia

(4,978 posts)
10. Don't believe your lying eyes.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:30 PM
20 hrs ago

Now people are beaten and executed for filming the out of control jackboots.

ShazzieB

(22,289 posts)
64. He had a gun that he was wearing a holster at the time.
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:18 AM
9 hrs ago

He had a concealed carry permit and was exercising his second amendment rights that Repubs claim are so sacred. He never took the gun out of its holster; The ICEholes saw if when they were dragging him into the road. They shot him 3 times and then took the gun, which they have kept and have refused to let local authorities examine.

Crusty Gnome and Co have been using the gun to claim he was a "domestic terrorist" who was planning to massacre as many people as possible. Because they're despicable.


wolfie001

(7,250 posts)
25. Those fuckers at MSN censor every comment I make
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:10 PM
19 hrs ago

Yet every horse-with-wings comment by a racist redneck is posted. FUCK MSN!!!

SunSeeker

(57,745 posts)
32. It's a digital pocket camera. People have been using these so as not to risk their phones.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:29 PM
19 hrs ago

Looks like a $30 PopSnap pocket camera by Vivitar from Target or Walmart.

I bought a cheap $30 Vivitar PopSnap pocket camera for my son for travel, and found it can record really good video, so long as you insert a 32GB or 64GB SD card in it so it has the memory to record the video(s). Very handy for recording ICE. And it is super compact, it will easily fit in a shirt pocket, under a hat, etc. I am sure there are similar cameras on Amazon as well.

That way, you don't risk your phone. My whole world is on my phone. No way would I want Trump’s Nazis taking my phone. They can have my PopSnap.

Attilatheblond

(8,410 posts)
35. Oooo, thanks for the reminder, I think I have 2 of those lil oldies but goodies around here.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:36 PM
19 hrs ago

Might have to dig them outta my old tech drawer, charge 'em up and check 'em out for serviceability.

EdmondDantes_

(1,445 posts)
38. The benefit to using a phone is being able to upload to the cloud as you record
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:48 PM
19 hrs ago

The strict camera devices don't let you do that without connecting to another device.

SunSeeker

(57,745 posts)
41. Download the SD card files in your phone via an adaptor dongle, when you are safely at home or in your car. nt
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:53 PM
19 hrs ago

a kennedy

(35,454 posts)
58. FAWK DHS!!!!!! IT WAS A FAWKING PHONE!!!!!
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 06:19 PM
15 hrs ago

Sorry Sally Mack for swearing on your post.

Solly Mack

(96,531 posts)
60. It's a weapon to the thugs because it exposes their actions.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 11:52 PM
10 hrs ago

They seem to go after everyone filming them.

Hugin

(37,551 posts)
8. Ill fitting child sized ballistic vest...
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:24 PM
20 hrs ago

I can’t quite make out what the cosplay toy says below “POLICE”. The alt-klan member would be better off without it. Any shot would bounce around in there like a golf ball in a hurricane.

yellow dahlia

(4,978 posts)
9. So it appears this guy was attacked and beaten for the crime of exercising his First Amendment rights.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:27 PM
20 hrs ago

And perhaps he was executed for exercising his Second Amendment right to carry a gun.

JHB

(38,011 posts)
44. He was on the other side of the street from the donut shop
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 03:12 PM
18 hrs ago

But in a world where cameras are counted as guns, I guess you can "block" an entrance from 10 yards away.

highplainsdem

(60,496 posts)
17. I posted the video in an OP 10 minutes ago - see
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:37 PM
20 hrs ago
https://democraticunderground.com/100220965013

- but you have to click on the part of the video saying it can't appear off Bluesky to reach the Bluesky post with the video.

highplainsdem

(60,496 posts)
19. Here.- found another Bluesky post with it:
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:46 PM
20 hrs ago

Video before it happens is showing this guy they shot in the head in Minneapolis was just standing there videoing them before and they got out to push him back and then murder him.

Democratic Women of South Orange County (@dwsoc.bsky.social) 2026-01-24T17:24:14.392Z

Hope22

(4,510 posts)
21. Why are these f-ers permitted to wear the word POLICE on their vests
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 01:49 PM
20 hrs ago

And if we tried that?

electric_blue68

(26,198 posts)
69. I saw the various vids....
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 01:58 AM
8 hrs ago

But this one is where I clearly saw her, that's all I'm saying.

Safe as Milk

(212 posts)
24. Do NOT assume that the victim was brandishing a weapon. ICE lies,
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:07 PM
20 hrs ago

just like Diddling Donny.

If there was a weapon "found" on his person, find the registration data, confirm ownership. Even so, gun ownership does NOT demand that the owner be shot and killed.

AverageOldGuy

(3,448 posts)
26. Asking my DU colleagues:
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:11 PM
19 hrs ago

From this moment on, when referring to the organization formerly known as "ICE," refer to them only as "Gestapo." No more "ICE." And if you wish to refer to Stephen Miller as "Hermann Göring" . . .

Not familiar with the Gestapo, here is the Wikipedia article (footnotes and references are in the Wikipedia article).


The Geheime Staatspolizei ([ɡəˈhaɪmə ˈʃtaːtspoliˌtsaɪ] ⓘ, lit. 'Secret State Police', abbreviated Gestapo [ɡəˈstaːpo] ⓘ ,[3] was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and in German-occupied Europe.

The force was created by Hermann Göring in 1933 by combining the various political police agencies of Prussia into one organisation. On 20 April 1934, oversight of the Gestapo passed to the head of the Schutzstaffel (SS), Heinrich Himmler, who was also appointed Chief of German Police by Hitler in 1936. Instead of being exclusively a Prussian state agency, the Gestapo became a national one as a sub-office of the Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo; Security Police). From 27 September 1939, it was administered by the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA). It became known as Amt (Dept) 4 of the RSHA and was considered a sister organisation to the Sicherheitsdienst (SD; Security Service).

The Gestapo committed widespread atrocities during its existence. The power of the Gestapo was used to focus upon political opponents, ideological dissenters (clergy and religious organisations), career criminals, the Sinti and Roma population, handicapped persons, homosexuals, and, above all, the Jews.[4] Those arrested by the Gestapo were often held without judicial process, and political prisoners throughout Germany—and from 1941, throughout the occupied territories under the Night and Fog Decree (German: Nacht und Nebel)—simply disappeared while in Gestapo custody.[5] Contrary to popular perception, the Gestapo was actually a relatively small organization with limited surveillance capability; still it proved extremely effective due to the willingness of ordinary Germans to report on fellow citizens. During World War II, the Gestapo played a key role in the Holocaust. After the war ended, the Gestapo was declared a criminal organisation by the International Military Tribunal (IMT) at the Nuremberg trials, and several top Gestapo members were sentenced to death.[6]

Justice matters.

(9,505 posts)
37. Exact.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:45 PM
19 hrs ago

But, but, but... "Nazis, Nazis, Nazis... the "Nazi card" when they use "Nazi methods" in plain sights.

Living in Canada, Cuba, Panama, Columbia and Greenland in 2026 Feels like living in Poland in early 1939.

Living in the US Feels like living in Germany in 1933.



James48

(5,113 posts)
29. Good God!
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:17 PM
19 hrs ago

Bovino needs to be fired.

Noem needs to be fired.

Stephen Miller needs to get fired.

Donald Trump needs to be fired.

LuckyCharms

(22,094 posts)
30. That wee little fuck needs to be shuttled...
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:21 PM
19 hrs ago

right to fucking jail.

So goddamn infuriating.

IronLionZion

(50,913 posts)
31. Peacefully watching and recording ICE is a death sentence
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:27 PM
19 hrs ago

they don't want their murders recorded. Cruelty is the point. They want to discourage protestors.

ICE-holes are the violence.

ashredux

(2,881 posts)
33. Trump and his new Gestapo were in danger because he was brandishing a phone...
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:32 PM
19 hrs ago

This is most likely what happened….They wrestled him to a ground, one of the yahoo’s yelled “gun” and then they shot him… I bet a lot of money that’s how it was.

These guys are not trained, they’re just a bunch of assholes who used to be in prison because they storm the capital

MayReasonRule

(4,030 posts)
49. I Expect It Of The Wholly Fascist Ongoing Criminal Enterprise That Is The GOP
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:04 PM
18 hrs ago

The GOP is intent upon wholesale destruction of anyone or anything that dare oppose their boundless unbridled malevolent depravity.

creeksneakers2

(7,957 posts)
52. I want to remind everyone
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 04:35 PM
17 hrs ago

Because some here are in such a rush to blame all Democrats for what seven of them did that they forget to blame Republicans at all.

SunSeeker

(57,745 posts)
43. Another video, apparently from the woman in the pink coat. The man was helping people, no gun in hand.
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 03:09 PM
18 hrs ago


When ICE pushed another protestor wearing a red backpack to the ground, he appeared to try to help her up as ICE pepper sprayed him. ICE proceeded to beat on him and then shot him. The woman filming is sobbing. Horrific.

Video is on reddit, and being played on MSNBC now:
https://www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/comments/1qluz6q/another_angle_of_the_minneapolis_shooting_taken/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Figarosmom

(10,043 posts)
45. I'd bet they didnt even know
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 03:29 PM
18 hrs ago

He had a gun until they started wrestling him to the ground. They originally were assaulting him because he was recording.

CROW50

(5 posts)
53. Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center is skeptical of official narrative regarding shooting
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 05:05 PM
17 hrs ago

Video at link from local Minneapolis Fox news affiliate features a representative of the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center giving his response to today’s shooting. He’s being very measured with his responses, but there is no doubt he is skeptical of the narrative the Feds are pushing. Their mission statement notes that they are

“dedicated to challenging unlawlful restrictions and advancing the right to keep and bear arms”.

So, some of the Minnesota gun advocates are seeing through the BS being pushed by Fed leadership, which is good.

https://www.fox9.com/video/fmc-dg3fsrhu1zp2q7ab

barbtries

(31,178 posts)
54. there are at least 2 videos circulating
Sat Jan 24, 2026, 05:59 PM
16 hrs ago

that prove conclusively that Alex Pretti was disarmed, never drew, he was tear gassed and swarmed by multiple "agents" one of whom shot him, I would say at least 5 times.

what they're saying is pure propaganda and they're banking on the cult who won't look anywhere else to get information to believe it. NONE of what they say is true or offered in good faith. Pure, predictable, propaganda.

Can't wait to hear how Leavitt with pain this one.

emmett (@emmettroserose.bsky.social) 2026-01-24T16:11:27.685Z


i'm sure it will be we just made y'all safer by getting rid of a domestic terrorist. in other news, krasnov took another cognitive and he's the most cognitive human being alive. Everything is great. Great. Great.
Accuse her of lying and she'll act butt hurt but inside thinking you can't stop me haha

Democratic Barbara (@barbtries.bsky.social) 2026-01-24T16:18:28.732Z

Blue Full Moon

(3,227 posts)
65. Seems like the agent who took Pretti's gun
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 12:23 AM
9 hrs ago

Discharged it and the others murdered Pretti. This murder and the murder of Good and all the crime perpetrated by ICE was to extort voter data.

travelingthrulife

(4,659 posts)
73. Fox lying their asses off. Yeah...they were pursuing a 'dangerous illegal'
Sun Jan 25, 2026, 09:17 AM
50 min ago

Every Republican lies ceaselessly.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The photo seems to dispro...