REPORT: Alex Pretti Suffered Broken Rib In Confrontation With Feds Days Before Fatal Shooting

Alex Pretti, the Minnesota Veterans Affairs intensive care nurse who was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents Saturday, reportedly had a confrontation with federal officers roughly a week before his death that left him with a broken rib.

Pretti stopped his car about a week before his death after observing ICE agents chasing what he believed to be a family on foot, according to CNN, citing an anonymous source. Pretti stepped out of his vehicle and began “shouting” and “blowing a whistle” at the agents. (RELATED: Appeals Court Halts Order Limiting ICE Tactics)

Five federal officers then tackled him, with one leaning on his back — an encounter that left him with a broken rib, according to medical records reviewed by CNN.

“That day, he thought he was going to die,” the source told CNN.

A DHS spokesperson told the Daily Caller the department has “no record of this incident” when asked about the earlier encounter.

About a week later, Pretti was fatally shot after he approached officers while apparently attempting to film them with his cellphone. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was carrying a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and “violently resisted” when agents attempted to disarm him. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.

Pretti’s family called the administration’s claims “sickening and reprehensible,” disputing that he was holding a gun when shot.

“He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed,” his parents said in a statement to CBS News on Sunday.