Videos released this week have revealed a previous confrontation between ICU nurse Alex Pretti and federal agents, 11 days before he was fatally shot by officers in Minneapolis.

The footage, published by digital outlet The News Movement, shows an incident on January 13 during intense community protests against federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.

Footage captures tense protest scene

The video shows Pretti confronting agents in an unmarked vehicle, shouting and spitting at the vehicle before kicking a tail light as it drove away. Moments later, a heavily armed agent exited the vehicle and appeared to tackle Pretti to the ground, with other officers joining in.

Pretti is seen breaking free shortly after and remaining at the scene as agents withdrew. Another angle shows what appears to be a handgun in his waistband. Authorities later confirmed Pretti had a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon and did not touch it during the encounter.

Family rejects link to later killing

An attorney for the family said the earlier incident could not justify Pretti’s killing days later. “Nothing that happened a week before could possibly have justified Alex’s death,” the lawyer said, adding that Pretti had been injured during the earlier clash but did not seek medical care.

Additional bystander footage published by local media shows officers forcing Pretti to the ground as agents fired tear gas and pepper balls into the crowd.

Conflicting political claims

After the video surfaced, some right-wing commentators, including Donald Trump, claimed Pretti had spat on federal agents. However, another video angle shows he spat on the vehicle, not on officers.

US authorities initially alleged Pretti was “brandishing” a gun at the time of his killing, claims later contradicted by video footage showing him holding a phone.

Authorities reviewing footage

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said the footage is under review. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the earlier incident was not relevant to the fatal shooting.