Small-Town Manager Lives in Fear After Online Mob Targets Him
A 32-year-old retail manager from a quiet Ohio town has gone into hiding after waking up to a barrage of death threats accusing him of fatally shooting Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse killed during an immigration protest in Minneapolis.
Evan Kilgore discovered his photo circulating widely on social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. Users labeled him a murderer and worse, with many demanding vigilante justice. ‘People were saying they were gonna hunt me down… they were going to find me, find my address, find my family,’ Kilgore stated.
Local police, alarmed by the escalating threats, positioned a squad car outside Kilgore’s parents’ home to protect them from potential attacks. Kilgore has no ties to law enforcement or the government; he manages a small retail chain and occasionally shares right-wing commentary online. He provided evidence confirming he was nowhere near Minnesota on the day of the shooting.
The Incident That Sparked the False Accusation
Pretti’s death on Saturday drew global outrage after videos captured federal agents dragging him to the ground during a protest and firing up to 10 shots while attempting to detain him. Authorities have not publicly identified the involved Customs and Border Protection agents.
The misinformation began when Atlantic City DJ and influencer Patrick Jeanty Jr., who has over one million followers, shared a video falsely claiming Kilgore was the shooter. ‘This is the POS that unalived Alex Pretti in Minnesota! His name is Evan Kilgore,’ Jeanty wrote alongside Kilgore’s photo. He added, ‘I hope you are forever haunted by images of what you did to that man. I hope your family never finds peace.’
Jeanty later referenced another ICE-related shooting involving agent Jonathan Ross, who killed Renee Good earlier in the month, fueling nationwide protests. The post ignited a wave of harassment from left-leaning social media users.
Escalating Threats and Family Impact
Threats poured in rapidly, with one user demanding Kilgore’s ‘head on a platter’ and another suggesting they ‘take care of him.’ Direct messages warned, ‘Got your address so better sleep with one eye open you f**king monster,’ and ‘We are going to find you and take care of you murderer. You can run but you can’t hide. Your days are numbered.’
Harassers quickly located Kilgore’s parents’ address, assuming it was his, and bombarded them with menacing calls. One caller made ominous clicking sounds while reciting the home’s address. Kilgore filed a police report, noting, ‘Evan also stated he and his family have received multiple phone calls from private number, with callers claiming they know his address and stating they are coming to his residence. Evan expressed fear for his safety and the safety of his family.’
‘My parents are talking about leaving for a couple of weeks down to maybe Florida or something, and I’ve taken a couple days off of work due to the stress,’ Kilgore said. ‘It’s just done an insane amount of damage to my reputation and has led me to have some legitimate fears for my safety. Even last night I was seeing some posts somebody was calling for me to be beheaded.’
Kilgore repeatedly posted on Twitter urging people to stop, emphasizing his Ohio residence and lack of involvement. He barely slept, alerted his family, and began documenting every threat.
Jeanty’s Response and Kilgore’s Background
Jeanty, who served time for child abuse in New Jersey in 2016, removed the original video but posted a follow-up without apology. ‘Sorry not sorry, I don’t feel bad for you. I hope whatever comes your way, comes your way. I don’t care,’ he said. ‘I don’t apologize to racist white men who actively want black and brown people to die.’
Kilgore, a self-described Christian nationalist, supports stricter immigration policies but has criticized Trump administration officials and opposes unconditional support for Israel. His views, while controversial and sometimes fringe, do not connect him to the shooting.
Prior to his Twitter activity, Kilgore faced backlash in 2017 when he and colleagues at Grace College & Seminary in Indiana were fired over a mock rap album cover featuring stereotypical imagery. The photo, captioned ‘NGA’ for ‘Not Grace Appropriate,’ drew criticism for insensitivity. Then-president Bill Katip stated, ‘We must do more to help ensure people of all backgrounds are treated with respect and feel welcome.’
Kilgore’s Ohio driver’s license confirms his residence far from the incident site. He plans to pursue defamation lawsuits against Jeanty and others who spread the false claims. Police are investigating potential criminal charges, with Kilgore noting, ‘The police are taking it very seriously.’
