'Some Broke Into Tears': Plainfield Gathers For Candlelight Vigil Honoring Man Shot By ICE In Minnesota

PLAINFIELD, IL — An estimated 80 people braced the bitter cold Wednesday evening to gather at Settlers' Park for a candlelight vigil remembering Alex Pretti, the man who was fatally shot Jan. 24 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota.

"It was a very peaceful, respectful vigil," local Brian Zurita told Patch of the event, which took place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Richard A. Rock Amphitheater. "Some broke into tears as they spoke their words of support."

A local pastor led the gathering in a short prayer for peace before organizers and residents voiced support for those negatively affected by the immigration operations led by ICE in Minneapolis and Chicago. A middle school teacher shared a story of his students piecing together similarities between the violence in Minneapolis and Selma, Alabama, on Bloody Sunday, Zurita recounted.

"Organizers handed out candles to those arriving early," Zurita said. "The bright lights of the pavilion did unfortunately defeat the intended ambience of candlelight. Two small dogs played quietly in the center of the pavilion, providing a measure of lightheartedness to counter the heaviness of the evening."

Alex Pretti, 37 and born in Illinois, was shot multiple times by federal officers on Saturday morning during a confrontation near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, his family told the AP.

The Department of Homeland Security said the shooting occurred as ICE agents were conducting a targeted operation in search of a person wanted for violent assault. Federal officials said the man approached agents with a handgun.

According to his family, Pretti was an intensive care unit nurse at the Veterans Administration who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in his city.

With the vigil, organizers hoped to "light the night as we honor a man who in his last act on Earth was to protect his neighbor," read a flyer created for the event.

"It's horribly tragic and unacceptable to see Americans killed on the streets," Mayor John Argoudelis told Patch ahead of the vigil, which he attended. "Whether or not protests have obstructed justice, I don't know the answer to that, but if they have committed crimes such as that, they should be arrested and prosecuted. No one should lose their lives. Americans killing Americans is unacceptable."

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