A viral video allegedly showing Alex Pretti kicking a federal officer’s vehicle has exploded across social media platforms, generating millions of views and intense debate about its authenticity. With AI-generated content flooding the internet, Americans desperately need to know: Is this video real or fake? Here’s everything you need to know about the controversial footage that’s dividing the nation.

What The Viral Alex Pretti Video Shows

The footage in question captures a confrontation between a man identified as Alex Pretti and federal immigration agents on January 13, 2026—exactly 11 days before Pretti’s fatal shooting by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. The video, exclusively obtained by The News Movement, shows the 37-year-old intensive care nurse in what appears to be a heated encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

According to multiple verified reports, the video depicts Pretti yelling at officers inside a vehicle, spitting in their direction, and then kicking out the right taillight of their SUV. The confrontation escalates when agents exit the vehicle, tackle Pretti to the ground, and deploy what appears to be tear gas or pepper spray toward nearby protesters.

BBC Facial Recognition Confirms 97% Match

The authenticity question was quickly addressed through advanced technology. The News Movement submitted the footage to the BBC for analysis, which used sophisticated facial recognition technology to verify the individual’s identity. The results were striking: a 97% degree of accuracy confirming the man in the video is indeed Alex Pretti.

BBC reporter Ros Atkins confirmed during the network’s 10 p.m. GMT news broadcast that the man captured on camera “has the same coat, facial hair and gait as Alex Pretti.” This technical verification effectively dispelled early speculation that the video might be AI-generated or deepfaked—a growing concern in today’s digital landscape where artificial intelligence can create convincing fake videos.

Family Confirms Authenticity But Contests Narrative

The Pretti family, through their attorney Steve Schleicher, confirmed that the man in the video is indeed Alex Pretti and that the family was aware of the January 13 incident when it occurred. However, they strongly rejected attempts by some political commentators to use the footage as justification for Pretti’s subsequent death.

“A week before Alex was gunned down in the street—despite posing no threat to anyone—he was violently assaulted by a group of ICE agents,” Schleicher stated. “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”

Multiple news outlets, including CNN and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, independently confirmed with the Pretti family that the individual in the video is Alex Pretti, adding further credibility to the footage’s authenticity.

The January 13 Confrontation: A Detailed Timeline

According to The News Movement’s reporting team, comprised of journalists Dallin Mello and Dan Ming, they received a tip around 10:15 a.m. on January 13 that federal agents were blocking a street in south Minneapolis. Upon arrival at the intersection of East 36th Street and Park Avenue, they witnessed and recorded the confrontation.

The sequence of events captured on video includes:

Initial confrontation: Pretti approaches the federal vehicle wearing a black hat, brown coat, and sporting a beard—an outfit remarkably similar to what he wore during the fatal January 24 shooting.

Verbal altercation: He can be heard shouting profanities at immigration agents, calling them “f*cking trash” while holding up his phone, apparently recording the federal operation.

Physical escalation: Pretti spits toward the vehicle and proceeds to kick the right taillight twice, causing it to shatter.

Federal response: An agent exits the SUV, grabs Pretti, and forcefully pushes him to the ground. Multiple agents swarm the scene, with at least three attempting to restrain him.

Crowd control measures: Federal agents deploy pepper balls and tear gas toward the gathering crowd of protesters and onlookers.

Release and continuation: Pretti is eventually released from custody. Video footage shows what appears to be a firearm in his waistband as he walks away. Rather than leaving the area, he remains with other demonstrators who continue protesting the federal immigration operation.

Why This Video Went Massively Viral

Within hours of its Wednesday release, the video accumulated over 1.4 million views on X (formerly Twitter) alone. Republican communications adviser Steve Guest shared the clip with the comment “Important context: Pretti was not a peaceful protester”—though he incorrectly attributed the report to the BBC rather than The News Movement.

Greg Price, listed as “Rapid Response Manager” for President Donald Trump’s White House on LinkedIn, also amplified the footage, writing: “Alex Pretti spits on a federal agent and then kicks out his taillight in footage released by the BBC from 11 days before his death.”

The video’s viral spread reflects the intense political polarization surrounding immigration enforcement, particularly in Minneapolis, where federal operations have sparked widespread protests and two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in January 2026 alone.

The Fatal January 24 Shooting: Context You Need

Understanding the viral video’s significance requires context about what happened 11 days later. On January 24, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents during another federal immigration operation in south Minneapolis, less than two miles from his home.

Multiple verified videos from bystanders show Pretti using his phone to record federal agents, attempting to protect a woman who had been pushed to the ground by an officer, and being pepper-sprayed before being wrestled to the pavement by multiple agents. Approximately 10 shots were fired in less than five seconds, according to forensic audio analysis.

Crucially, video evidence appears to show an agent removing Pretti’s legally carried firearm from his waistband during the struggle—contradicting initial Department of Homeland Security claims that Pretti “approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun” or that he was “brandishing” the weapon.

Federal Claims vs. Video Evidence: Major Contradictions

The release of the January 13 video has intensified scrutiny of federal officials’ statements about both encounters. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem initially claimed Pretti “arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement”—allegations that videos from both January 13 and January 24 appear to contradict.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller went further, calling Pretti an “assassin” and “would-be assassin” in social media posts that remain published. However, a preliminary DHS report sent to Congress makes no mention of Pretti reaching for his firearm during the fatal encounter.

The Department of Homeland Security later acknowledged that “the initial statement was based on reports from CBP from a very chaotic scene on the ground,” with a spokesperson adding that “the investigation is underway and DHS will let the facts lead the investigation.”

Who Was Alex Pretti? Beyond The Viral Footage

Media coverage has understandably focused on the confrontational videos, but Pretti’s life tells a more complete story. The 37-year-old worked as an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where colleagues and patients’ families remembered him as compassionate and dedicated.

Mac Randolph, a Minneapolis resident, recounted how Pretti cared for his father, Air Force veteran Terry Randolph, during his final moments at the VA facility. “Alex was there the final night providing morphine and pain relief,” Randolph said. “Just the sweetest person you can imagine.”

Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, who worked alongside Pretti at the VA Medical Center, described him as an “incredibly competent person” who excelled at his job. Pretti’s neighbor, Jeanne Wiener, told Minnesota Public Radio: “He was a calm person; he’s a nurse. I’m mad. I’m angry. This was a good person. This is not a violent person.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti had no criminal record, with his only known law enforcement interactions involving traffic tickets. He was a legal gun owner with a valid permit to carry in Minnesota.

The AI Deepfake Question: Why It Matters

In an era where AI-generated videos can convincingly impersonate anyone, the immediate question surrounding any viral footage is: “Is it real?” This skepticism is healthy and necessary. Deepfake technology has advanced to the point where distinguishing authentic footage from AI-generated content requires expert analysis.

That’s precisely why The News Movement’s decision to seek BBC verification was crucial. Facial recognition technology analyzed multiple biometric markers—facial structure, gait patterns, distinctive features—to achieve the 97% accuracy match. Additionally, the video’s metadata, witness corroboration, and family confirmation provide layers of verification that AI-generated content typically cannot match.

The convergence of evidence—technical analysis, eyewitness accounts, family confirmation, and consistent reporting across multiple news organizations—establishes the video’s authenticity beyond reasonable doubt.

Political Fallout and Investigation Status

The viral video and Pretti’s death have created significant political consequences. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard following the January 24 shooting. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has sought court orders to restrict federal immigration operations in the city.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing Department of Homeland Security officers from destroying or altering evidence related to Pretti’s death. However, federal investigators initially refused Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents access to the shooting scene, despite state authorities obtaining a search warrant.

The investigation has also sparked congressional action, with some lawmakers calling for deeper inquiries into federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis. Senator Amy Klobuchar stated bluntly: “We need ICE out of Minnesota.”

President Trump has attempted to manage the political damage, including replacing Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino in Minnesota with border czar Tom Homan. The two Border Patrol agents who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation outcomes.

What Witnesses Say About Both Encounters

Witness testimony provides crucial context for understanding both the January 13 and January 24 incidents. Jason Shapiro, who witnessed and recorded portions of the January 13 confrontation, told NBC News that after federal vehicles left the area, he approached Pretti.

“I went up to him and I gave him a half-hug. I had my phone in one hand, and I sort of hugged him with the other,” Shapiro recalled. “I asked him, ‘Are you good, are you OK?’ He says: ‘Yep, I’m good, I’m OK. Are we all OK? Are we safe? We OK?’ He was making sure that everyone was safe.”

For the January 24 shooting, multiple witnesses described Pretti as helping direct traffic and recording federal agents on his phone—not aggressive behavior. An unidentified physician stated in court filings that after the shooting, federal agents initially wouldn’t allow medical assistance to reach Pretti, and that “none of the agents were helping Pretti after the shooting.”

Understanding Minnesota’s Gun Laws

Much controversy has centered on Pretti’s firearm, visible in both the January 13 and January 24 videos. Minnesota law allows citizens with proper permits to carry handguns either openly or concealed. Pretti possessed a valid permit to carry, confirmed by Minneapolis police.

Federal officials claimed Pretti didn’t have identification while carrying his firearm—which, even if true, would constitute a petty misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $25 fine. The Minneapolis Star Tribune noted that no videos show federal officers asking Pretti for identification at any point during either encounter.

The Bigger Picture: Operation Metro Surge

Both confrontations occurred during Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s aggressive federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. The operation has deployed thousands of federal agents to Democratic-led cities, creating friction between local and federal authorities.

Pretti’s death was the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January 2026, following the January 7 killing of Renée Good, a 37-year-old mother, by an ICE agent. These incidents have intensified local opposition to federal immigration tactics.

The operation’s controversial nature extends beyond the shootings. Residents and local officials report aggressive federal tactics, including blocking streets without notice, confrontational interactions with civilians, and resistance to local law enforcement oversight.

Social Media’s Role in Shaping The Narrative

The viral video demonstrates social media’s power to amplify selective narratives. While the January 13 footage shows confrontational behavior from Pretti, it lacks context about what preceded the interaction or federal agents’ actions that may have provoked the response.

Similarly, the video’s circulation primarily through conservative political figures has framed it as evidence contradicting descriptions of Pretti as a “peaceful protester”—a characterization his family and witnesses say misrepresents his role as someone documenting federal operations and protecting others.

This selective framing highlights how authentic footage can still mislead when presented without full context, making thorough fact-checking and multiple source verification essential in the digital age.

Key Takeaways: What Americans Need To Know

The video is authentic: BBC facial recognition technology confirmed with 97% accuracy that the man in the January 13 video is Alex Pretti, corroborated by family confirmation and multiple news organizations.

It’s not AI-generated: Despite understandable skepticism in the deepfake era, convergent evidence establishes this as genuine footage, not artificial intelligence manipulation.

Context matters: The video shows confrontational behavior but doesn’t capture what led to the encounter or justify subsequent events 11 days later.

Federal claims face scrutiny: Official statements about both the January 13 and January 24 incidents appear contradicted by video evidence and witness testimony.

Investigation continues: State and federal authorities are conducting separate investigations, with significant questions remaining about federal agents’ conduct in both encounters.

Political implications persist: The incident reflects broader tensions over immigration enforcement policies and federal-local government relations.

The Bottom Line

The viral video showing Alex Pretti kicking a federal vehicle is real, not AI-generated. Advanced facial recognition technology, family confirmation, and journalistic verification across multiple outlets establish its authenticity beyond reasonable doubt. However, the footage’s viral spread illustrates how even authentic videos can fuel misleading narratives when stripped of context.

As investigations continue into both the January 13 confrontation and Pretti’s January 24 death, the complete truth about these encounters remains under scrutiny. What’s clear is that two U.S. citizens—Pretti and Renée Good—died during federal immigration operations in Minneapolis within three weeks, raising urgent questions about enforcement tactics, accountability, and the appropriate use of lethal force.

For Americans watching these events unfold, the Alex Pretti case underscores the critical importance of demanding full context, seeking multiple sources, and insisting on thorough independent investigations when government authority and citizen rights collide. In an age of deepfakes and disinformation, verifying authenticity is just the first step—understanding the complete story matters even more.