Prayer vigil in Tucson energized by Alex Pretti’s death | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – A large crowd gathered for a prayer vigil Monday evening in Tucson, as public outcry continues over the shooting death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minnesota over the weekend. Pretti, a nurse from Minnesota, died after an altercation with federal agents during an immigration operation Saturday morning.

The vigil took place in front of a facility for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tucson’s south side. Local religious leaders led the growing crowd in song, prayer, and a moment of silence.

“I’m here with other people in faith in Tucson who are standing up and saying that ICE has gone too far,” Bart Smith, a local Presbyterian pastor, told News 4 Tucson. “They’ve gone from law enforcement to lawlessness.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem commented on the situation after it happened Saturday, saying in part, “Our law enforcement are doing everything they can to protect the public. We’re praying for this deceased loved one’s family and friends.”

The Department of Homeland Security posted on X after Saturday’s killing that “this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”

That’s an account many have called into question. One of those at Monday’s vigil was Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva.

“What is incredibly frustrating for me and irresponsible is for DHS and leadership there to make statements about what they know happened, before even doing an investigation,” Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., said.

Many attendees brought signs to the vigil like one which read, “ICE Hands Off Our Kids!” Some people formed a small protest afterward.

“If this is a moment that can help be a turning point so be it, but it never should have happened,” Lisa Kiser, a Tucson nurse, said.

News 4 Tucson reached out to ICE via email Monday afternoon and evening for a comment on the vigil and to inquire about the number of immigration operations conducted in Tucson this year. There has not yet been a reply back.