Wynnie Savageford said she was standing next to Alexi Pretti before federal immigration agents detained her in the back of a vehicle, where she witnessed his death. She was among a group of potential litigants who spoke out about alleged excessive force against people protesting or monitoring the enforcement surge in Minnesota.
On the morning of the 24th, I was legally observing ice sightings in the Whittier neighborhood with two friends when we arrived at 26th in Nichollet in front of Glam Doll Donuts. After requesting to see a warrant, which was ignored, an agent approached me and pushed me twice, which prompted me to fall. As I was going down, three agents proceeded to tackle me and dragged me face down into the middle of the street. .
They knelt on my back, twisted my arms, pinned my legs to the ground, and handcuffed me. The cuffs were so tight I was feel I lost feelings in my hands, which resulted in temporary nerve damage. They proceeded to take me to one of their vehicles and picked me up by my legs and threw me in the back of the car head first. I was in the back of the vehicle when I witnessed ICE agents shoot and kill Alex Prey on the other side of the street. .
At that moment, I thought I was going to die, too. I pleaded with the agents to understand why another life was taken and to please not take mine. I was told to shut up and to stop being hysterical. .
After Alex was killed, I was driven to a warehouse adjacent to the Whipple Federal Building where I was shackled and pinned against a wall as they searched under my clothing. I was then moved to Whipple where agents repeatedly moved me between cells each time asking who was paying me. . After being held for 12 hours in a freezing cold cell with no access to food, water, or a bathroom, unless you banged on the window long enough, I was released without any charges and no way of contacting anyone as they had taken my phone. . Before I was pushed and arrested, Alex was standing next to me. He videotaped my arrest and yelled at agents to leave me alone. .
I did not know him, but I knew he had my back. I knew the kind of heart he had, one that loves and protects without limits. . That day has changed me forever.
