In The Wake Of ICE Shootings... My Thoughts

Reflections on Alex Pretti, the erosion of trust, and the high cost a world addicted to extremes

It’s hard to put into words how I feel right now.

As a conservative Bible believing Christian with strong liberal leanings in places, I often feel caught in the middle when there are big crises plastered all over social media.

The shooting of Alex Pretti and the political/societal landscape around it is the current crisis of the moment. I’m sure there will be another one next week.

I’m distraught that another man is dead.

I’m distraught that deconstructing and slow-moing violent bystander video has become as common as rewatching a game day play that’s questionable.

And then… there is a sinking terror that comes with the realization that objective truth (even complicated nuanced truth) is no longer a standard we can mostly agree on as a people.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:32

We all have access to the same footage of the shooting, and the conclusions being drawn couldn’t be more different.

There are two sides. These two sides are polarized. Extreme. Unwilling to integrate complex nuanced details. In some cases, there’s outright lies and gaslighting.

And with the speed of social media… there’s absolutely no incentive to wait and see what an investigation concludes.

Also?

We don’t trust the people doing the investigation. We don’t trust the media.

Every principled foundation we use to agree on a standard of truth (eyewitness accounts, evidence, video, investigations) are all torn apart to shreds.

This is where we are, and it’s frightening.

Still… I’m attempting to find the objective truth in any story that comes my way because I believe there is an objective truth that can be witnessed.

I also believe that the truth can hold nuances and realities that feel opposing and messy. And many of them may be morally neutral even if people scream otherwise.

Lastly, I do believe there is true right and wrong, and I personally align myself to scripture and the Word of God on what that is.

It’s not even been 24 hours since the shooting, but based on currently available footage, eyewitness accounts, and public statements — all of which may evolve — this is how I understand the sequence so far.

It goes without saying, I’m willing to update or change my position as time goes on.

• Tensions are extremely high in Minneapolis (and around the country).

• Some protestors are actively trying to interrupt and resist this federal enforcement agency operating with expanded authority (ICE). Some are just peaceful protestors. Some may just be curious and filming everything to feel “a part” of it, with no intent to interrupt or be violent.

• ICE has exploded with new agents as the government is pouring billions into this program. Some agents are well trained. Some are not. The training has been shortened to get agents into the field faster.

• The reason for the explosion of ICE is a high amount of illegal immigration and fraud due to complex border issues that weren’t dealt with. This is how the administration has chosen to solve the problem.

• Alex Pretti is a US citizen who was at the protest and filming. He also had a gun on his person with a legal permit.

• ICE agents were conducting an operation and were met with resistance from some protestors (who you could argue - a few were acting like agitators).

• When ICE forcefully pushed a woman, Alex stepped in.

• As he tried to protect her, the ICE agent sprayed them both at close range.

• A scuffle ensued as he resisted (or perhaps he was trying to rub his eyes - it’s not clear). This is when 8 agents were on him.

• Someone (an ICE agent) saw Alex’s gun on his side and yelled “GUN!”

• One of them took it away and it appears to have discharged accidentally at some point. That was the first shot.

• Then there were lots of additional shots fired (8-9 shots).

• Multiple eyewitness accounts and video have given written statements about what they saw.

• Some official White House accounts and government officials have written statements and gone on camera to the media, reciting the incident with untrue statements, insinuations, and outright lies that do not match the footage that we can all see.

• Alex Pretti did take a calculated risk by attending the protest, by engaging with law enforcement, and by carrying a weapon. He did not break United States law unless his resistance was true resistance or whether it was related to his eyes being sprayed. It’s hard to tell.

• In the United States, you have a right to life, even if you break some laws. There is a small limited justification for lethal use of force in situations where there is imminent danger.

• Alex presented no imminent danger but the accidental discharge of the gun clearly spooked ICE agents and they reacted.

• The reaction was to shoot the victim 8-9 times. This is a judgment call on my end, but this was excessive.

• Biblically speaking, I believe that we’re to submit to local law enforcement. I believe that some protestors don’t do this. And I also believe they have a right to life even when breaking this moral law.

• I also believe that local law enforcement is to submit to the training and regulations of what it looks like when you carry authority in a city.

• I also believe if you are a leader with a lot of power, you choose your words carefully and always speak the truth.

The right is blaming Alex and the left. The argument is primarily about submission to law enforcement and how the left is organizing insurrection and agitation.

The left is blaming Trump and the right. The argument is primarily about unnecessary use of force and fascist ideology leaking into a free country.

What I can conclude is that a LOT has gone wrong.

Biblically speaking, people in power have more responsibility than people who are not in power.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” - Luke 12:48

That means (starting from the top down), the people who are obligated to find and speak the truth and have the highest standard of responsibility (and need for moral restraint) are…

1. The President and his cabinet

2. State and local law enforcement & ICE

3. Then citizens

Right now that doesn’t appear to be happening. Scroll on any official account (Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, DHS) and you will notice what they are saying is in cases, objectively false, but also - deeply inflammatory.

So how do we (all of us in category 3) respond?

That is the question of the hour.

At what point does resisting authority become something that is morally correct? Are we there at this moment in history? Or are we not there yet?

Honestly… I don’t know the answer to that question.

I am sad today. I am also distraught that objective truth feels hidden from view. I feel chaos is winning.

Some things I plan to try….

1. I will exercise mercy and patience. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19).

2. I will seek out conversations with people who sits on each side of the issue.

3. I will write to my government representatives with specific objective questions to demand institutional integrity.

4. I will stay in grief instead of converting it to anger immediately. God dedicated an entire book to grief (Lamentations). This prevents cynicism from taking root.

I hope you are able to do the same.

xx