The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) released the following statement following the killing of AFGE Local 3669 Member Alex Pretti by Federal ICE Agents over the weekend in Minneapolis:

We have received confirmation that a Member of AFGE Local 3669, Alex Pretti, was the man killed during the incident.

At this time, many of the details remain unclear.

Video of the incident is circulating on Social Media and the Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that the victim was brandishing a weapon at Officers.

However, based on the video currently available, that claim is not clearly established.

We just recently discovered that the officer involved was a Border Patrol Officer and we are still not certain if he was a Member of AFGE.

This is an unfolding and extremely serious matter.

Until we have verified facts, it is important that we refrain from speculation or drawing conclusions.

What we do know is this: A Member of our Union lost their life and that alone is devastating.

Our hearts are heavy and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.

Until more information becomes available, AFGE urges everyone to remain calm and encourage peace and restraint in all communications and actions.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will share additional information as soon as we are able to confirm it.

National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement:

The National AFL-CIO mourns the senseless killing of another Minneapolis resident by Federal Agents.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti was a VA Intensive Care Unit Nurse and a Member of AFGE Local 3669 -a Brother in our Union Family.

Our thoughts are with Alex’s loved ones, his Union Siblings and the people of Minneapolis at this devastating time. 

As tens of thousands of Minnesotans made clear peacefully and powerfully, the Trump Administration’s horrific operation - and their actions aimed at stoking violence and chaos - must end.

America’s Unions join the call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed.

We demand local authorities conduct a full, transparent investigation that will lead to accountability for this tragic and violent act, and for Congress to use its power to hold ICE accountable.