Stella Carlson, known as the "pink coat lady" after recording the fatal encounter between federal officers and Alex Pretti, has spoken out about her experience. Carlson was not anticipating witnessing a life-or-death situation that day.
On the morning of the shooting, she had planned to volunteer at her local church, painting faces for children. Instead, her morning took an unexpected turn when she found herself at the scene of a violent confrontation that would ultimately claim Pretti's life.
Carlson had been deeply involved in local efforts to support her community, particularly in response to the growing federal immigration presence in Minneapolis.
The fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer earlier that month had already heightened her awareness of the risks involved in observing such actions.
As she drove to work that morning, the sound of whistles—an unmistakable signal of ICE officers' arrival—caught her attention, signaling that something was unfolding nearby.
A moment of courage
Carlson’s decision to stop and record the incident would prove pivotal. As she approached, she witnessed a scuffle in the street, with Pretti attempting to manage traffic.
Carlson, who had seen many similar situations in her efforts to warn the community about federal actions, believed Pretti was simply doing a risk assessment. It wasn't until after the shooting that she realized Pretti had been armed.
Her video of the incident contradicted initial claims from the Trump administration. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and White House aide Stephen Miller had both suggested that Pretti had acted aggressively, even going so far as to imply he had intended to harm law enforcement.
Carlson's footage, however, showed Pretti never brandishing his weapon and instead trying to assist a woman who had been knocked down during the incident.
The video revealed the shocking moment when an officer removed Pretti's gun from its holster, just before he was shot multiple times.
Standing up for justice
In the aftermath of the shooting, Carlson has expressed her doubts about a federal investigation into the matter. Despite her concerns, she remains hopeful that justice will be served through the efforts of other representatives working to address the situation.
Reflecting on her decision to record, she acknowledges that without the collective action of her community, she may not have had the strength to stay at the scene.
"I’m grateful to myself and I’m grateful to anybody who was supportive to me after, to make sure I could get to safety and get that video uploaded to the right people," Carlson said.
The video sparked nationwide outrage, eventually leading to significant pressure on the Trump administration, culminating in the removal of Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol official overseeing the federal surge in Minneapolis.