Alex Pretti's parents call on feds to share evidence in son's fatal shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The parents of Alex Pretti pushed federal authorities to share evidence in their son's fatal shooting at the hands of federal agents during a news conference on Tuesday.

The news conference comes as local investigators continue to fight for access to evidence from the Department of Justice.

Alex Pretti's parents hold news conference

What they're saying:

Alex Pretti's parents held a news conference for the first time in Minnesota on Tuesday, pressing federal officials to release critical evidence in their son's shooting.

"Today we are here begging for the Department of Justice to do what is right, to hold the men who murdered our son accountable for what they did," said Susan Pretti, Alex's mother.

"My message to Dan Rosen and Attorney General Todd Blanche, look in your heart and do what is right," said father Michael Pretti. "Share the evidence now so prosecutors can follow the facts and hold these men accountable. Do your job and stop shielding Alex's killers."

"No family in America should have to fight its own government to learn the truth about the death of their child," said attorney Steve Schleicher. "No family in America should have to beg someone in the federal government to do their job."

The Prettis also called out government officials for a lack of communication following their son's death.

"No one from the federal government called us on that horrible day, but they did go on TV to tell lies about Alex," said Michael Pretti. "No one from the federal government has called us since the lies told about Alex immediately after his murder have been shown to be just that. Lies. No one has recanted those lies, nor has anyone reached out to Susan, Michaela, our daughter, and myself to apologize."

"It simply should not have happened, it is not right," he added. "Imagine that your child was killed because of the actions of the federal government. Imagine learning that your child had been murdered by watching it on TV. No one from the government called us that day. They did not call us the next day, nor the next, nor the next 275 days. We have not heard anything from the federal government."

DOJ response:

In a statement to FOX 9, a DOJ spokesperson said: "The timing is consistent with how these types of investigations proceed. As is standard practice, communications with family members, if any, come at a later stage of a case, such as indictment, initial appearance, plea, trial, or sentencing. Those communications do not typically occur during an investigation."

Pretti shooting

What we know:

Pretti was shot and killed near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis back in January during the federal immigration surge. Nine months later, Pretti's family is still looking for answers.

Pretti's parents will hold a news conference later Tuesday morning. They'll be joined by their attorney to discuss the investigation into their son's death.

The federal agents involved have not been publicly identified. However, a ProPublica report in February obtained federal records that identified them as Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty are still deciding whether to file charges. In January, Moriarty stated she anticipated she would have enough evidence to make a charging decision in the case.

In a statement on Tuesday, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said: "The federal government continues to obstruct our investigation into Alex Pretti’s killing.  That’s why we continue to pursue our lawsuit in federal court to access the evidence that is being wrongly withheld.

"We have repeatedly asked for the cooperation to resume. Those requests have fallen on deaf ears. Alex Pretti died at the hands of federal agents and their bosses continue to hide evidence. It’s disgusting behavior that reflects how little they care for the American people, who deserve transparency about a fatal shooting by a federal agent."

Dig deeper:

A New York Post report in January also suggested that the shooting was the result of an accidental discharge by an agent who disarmed Pretti.

According to the report, federal authorities were investigating whether the agent accidentally fired Pretti's weapon, prompting other agents to believe they were under fire and shoot in response.

Federal government withholding evidence in Alex Pretti investigation

The backstory:

After initially agreeing to share information with local investigators, the federal government handed over some evidence in the case, including body camera video.

But earlier this month, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said federal authorities stopped cooperating and are still withholding key evidence, including:

• The gun used to shoot Pretti
• The agents' cellphones
• The agents' recorded statements

Renee Good's family sues federal government

Big picture view:

Meanwhile, the family of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent two weeks before Pretti, is now suing the federal government.

Earlier this month, Good's family filed civil lawsuits against the federal government and the agents involved, hoping those responsible for her death will be held accountable.

Local prosecutors are still considering criminal charges in that case as well.

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