Conflicted Witness: The Impact of a Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis
A Dark Encounter
Jose Huerta Chuma, a 41-year-old immigrant from Ecuador, finds himself in hiding after witnessing the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti on January 24. Huerta Chuma has been replaying the traumatic incident in his mind, grappling with feelings of guilt and helplessness. Having lived in the United States for over two decades, he described the harrowing experience from a local business where he sought refuge.
DHS Labels and Legal Status
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has labeled Huerta Chuma a criminal living illegally in the U.S., stating that he was the target of a Border Patrol operation that led to the altercation with Pretti. Huerta Chuma contends that he is not a criminal but rather a working father who was completing a routine delivery as a rideshare driver when he encountered agents.
Little is known about Huerta Chuma’s immigration status. Official documents reveal minor traffic violations and a 2018 misdemeanor of disorderly conduct tied to a domestic dispute, which was later expunged. The Minnesota Department of Corrections confirmed that he has no felony convictions and has never served time in prison.
Witnessing the Shooting
In a phstart interview conducted in Spanish, Huerta Chuma recounted the chaos of the shooting. He was on his way to a delivery when he notstartd agents in a red, unmarked vehicle pursuing him. Feeling apprehensive, he parked his car and entered a local business, where he remained hidden for approximately four hours.
During this time, Huerta Chuma saw Pretti film the scene and witnessed a Border Patrol agent confront a nearby woman. He described observing the agents tackle Pretti and subsequently heard numerous gunshots. In the aftermath, he saw an ambulance arrive but recognized that it was too late to help.
“It felt horrible,” he said, describing the powerlessness of being unable to intervene.
Conflicting Reports
Following the shooting, DHS officials initially claimed that Pretti had approached agents with a firearm, prompting the shots fired in self-defense. However, findings from a preliminary review by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency contradict this narrative, indicating that Pretti’s firearm was removed from his waist just seconds before the shots were fired.
The reaction from the government escalated the tension surrounding Huerta Chuma. Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino labeled him a “violent criminal illegal alien” during a press conference, and the DHS urged the public to report his whereabouts. Huerta Chuma described the images released by the government as outdated, taken after a previous arrest.
Life on the Run
Since the shooting, Huerta Chuma has maintained a low profile out of fear for his safety and that of his three American-born children, aged 3, 11, and 15. He has not worked since that day, leading to emotional and financial distress. The ongoing stress, compounded by the trauma of Pretti’s death, weighs heavily on him.
“I’m very devastated, spiritually. Why did they kill the man? He didn’t do anything,” Huerta Chuma lamented, expressing sorrow for having witnessed the tragedy.
Despite his fears, Huerta Chuma is hoping to seek protection under a “U visa,” which is available to individuals who have been victims of certain crimes and can cooperate with law enforcement.
As he navigates this precarious situation, Huerta Chuma remains in hiding, uncertain about his future and haunted by the experience he wishes had ended differently.