Alex Pretti: Devastated family of nurse shot dead by Federal agents condemn Trump admin’s ‘sickening lies

The devastated family of ICU nurse Alex Pretti have condemned the Trump administration’s “sickening lies” about the circumstances that led up to his shooting at the hands of Federal agents.

“Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs,” Michael and Susan Pretti said in a statement provided to CNN.

“He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.

”The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting.”

Mr Pretti, 37, had joined with other anti-ICE protestors in the streets of Minneapolis on Saturday, local time, when he was pepper sprayed while trying to help another protestor. He was tackled to the ground by several federal agents before being shot dead.

The incident is one of five shootings in January involving federal agents conducting immigration enforcement, including the fatal shooting of Minnesota woman Renee Good.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters Mr Pretti had attacked agents on an immigration raid, though she did not say whether he pulled out his weapon.

Bystander videos from the scene show Mr 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.

Federal officials posted an image of the gun they say Pretti was carrying at the time of the shooting.

“He wasn’t there to peacefully protest. He was there to perpetuate violence,” Ms Noem said at a news conference.

But Pretti’s parents say he was a “kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital.”

“Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman.”

Local leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have also question the Trump administrations account of the shooting

“I’ve seen the video from several angles and it’s sickening,” Walz said.

“The federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation - the state will handle it.”

The head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Drew Evans, told reporters that federal agents blocked his team’s attempts to begin an investigation on Saturday.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the man who was killed was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record other than traffic violations.

As people protested the shooting, city police and state troopers arrived to manage the crowd. The situation appeared to have calmed later Saturday after federal agents left the area, though protesters remained on the streets for hours afterward.

— with AAP