Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse who cared for gravely ill and dying veterans. He devoted himself to serving those who offered the greatest of all sacrifices in defense of all of us, in defense of our rights and liberties, in defense of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Alex Pretti was kneeling, and was being restrained, when a federal agent stood over him and shot him in the back at point-blank range. That agent shot him three more times.
Alex Pretti then collapsed and lay flat on the ground. All agents moved away from him.
Another agent joined the shooter in firing at his motionless body. Together, they fired six more shots into his body. All ten shots were fired at Pretti when he was prone and unarmed.
Federal officials have tried to smear Pretti, who had a permit to carry a firearm. Pretti never drew a weapon, never reached for a weapon, never did anything to threaten anyone. The legal firearm he was carrying was removed by an agent BEFORE the two men started shooting.
In the United States, the People are sovereign—not those who temporarily hold public office.
The Bill of Rights constrains power, absolutely. No one can be punished for disagreeing with government; no one can be punished for their thoughts or beliefs, or for gathering or sharing information. The government cannot decide that some views or non-violent behaviors deserve to be punished with violence or death. The 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Amendments make that absolutely clear.
The Bill of Rights and the wide distribution of public authority—among not only the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches, but also among the States, civil society generally, the Press, religious, charitable, and advocacy organizations, and the People—means that when power seeks to do harm and decent free people seek to serve those in need, decency is sovereign.
The son of a man Alex Pretti cared for shared a video to honor Pretti’s memory. In the video, Alex Pretti says the following words after the ailing veteran passed away:
“Today we remember that freedom is not free, we have to work at it, nurture it, protect it, and even sacrifice for it. May we never forget to always remember our brothers and sisters who have served, so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom… In this moment, we remember and give thanks for their dedication and selfless service to our nation.”
“Alex was an example of brimming human compassion doing one of the hardest and most honorable jobs you can do. Caring for veterans in their time of need. Easing their pain and answering their questions even when those answers are hard to absorb.”
Remember Alex Pretti. Remember his example. Remember his innocence, his sense of duty, his service, and his compassion.
