In Minneapolis: The Aftermath of Alex Pretti’s Tragic Death

I was out on a frozen lake when I got the alert about a shooting. I was covering a pond hockey event, and one of the players scheduled for later that evening mentioned he might not show up due to anticipated protests.

I arrived about three hours later to find that federal officers had already cleared the area, with only local law enforcement remaining: the Minneapolis Police Department, their SWAT team, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

Protesters had taken to multiple intersections, blocking streets with trash cans and dumpsters, and even laying mattresses on the ground. They were vocal in their dissent but kept things from escalating into physical confrontations. Eventually, law enforcement pulled back a block and began deploying tear gas, driving over the mattresses as they retreated.

When those tear gas canisters go off, they make a loud popping sound, reminiscent of fireworks. There were dozens going off, with multiple canisters being launched at once. I had to duck into an alley for a moment because the gas seeped through my mask. It’s an unpleasant experience, even in small doses. You have to keep your eyes shut; it stings and burns, and some people even experience nausea or skin irritation. A fellow reporter mentioned his neck was burning and he had to use a decon wipe to relieve it.

Thanks to the events surrounding George Floyd in 2020, the community was well-prepared for this situation. Gregory Bovino, the head of the US Border Patrol, noted that residents in Minneapolis were ready for such occurrences. Many people I spoke with had their respirators on hand from 2020 and had restocked their safety supplies, including decon wipes and first aid kits. Even those who weren’t fully prepared could quickly adapt. At various events, community members set up tables to distribute food, water, and hand warmers, especially crucial on a day when temperatures were expected to stay below zero.

Once the officers cleared out, everyone gathered at the intersection of 26th and Nicollet, just a short distance from where Alex Pretti was shot. Some community members began a makeshift vigil at the site of the incident, spelling out his name with pinecones and leaving flowers in his memory.