Alex Preddy’s Death Sparks Dispute Over ‘Terrorist’ Label (Full Transcript)
[00:00:00] Speaker 1: He was there to help people. He was there to spread a message of warmth and love in this country. And so the idea that you could describe this man as a terrorist makes me mad beyond words.
[00:00:11] Speaker 2: Alex Preddy was 37 years old. He worked as an ICU nurse taking care of critically ill patients at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
[00:00:22] Speaker 1: May we never forget and always remember our brothers and sisters who have served so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom.
[00:00:29] Speaker 2: Alex Preddy was fatally shot after federal agents wrestled him to the ground. They shot him multiple times, killing him. The Trump administration described Preddy as a domestic terrorist and said that he was shot in self-defense after he approached agents holding a handgun. Video contradicts their account. Preddy's parents, Michael and Susan, said in a statement that Alex was a kind-hearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Family members told the AP that Preddy began protesting in the streets about ICE's involvement here in Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of another American citizen, Renee Good, which happened earlier this month.
[00:01:26] Speaker 3: The Alex that I want the world to remember was out on the streets yesterday with 50,000 people on general strike in a mass non-violent protest.
[00:01:33] Speaker 2: Preddy's friends said he had a love of theater and the arts. A teacher said he was a great student who loved to help people.
[00:01:41] Speaker 3: There are going to be times when I pick up the phone and I'm not going to be able to get a hold of him for sure.
[00:01:46] Speaker 2: I'm not going to be able to get a hold of him for sure. Minneapolis police say Preddy was a lawful gun owner with a permit and court records show he had no charges in the state, only traffic and parking infractions.
- Alex Preddy, an ICU nurse, was killed after a confrontation with federal agents in Minneapolis.
- The administration characterized him as a domestic terrorist and said the shooting was self-defense, but video is said to dispute this.
- Family and friends portray Preddy as compassionate, arts-loving, and committed to helping others.
- Preddy had participated in large, non-violent protests related to ICE and a recent local fatal shooting.
- Police indicated he legally owned a gun and had no criminal record beyond minor infractions.