Meet the woman whose video of Alex Pretti's killing contradicted the administration's claims (Pink Coat Lady)

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/us/stella-carlson-alex-pretti-witness-video

Stella Carlson was supposed to spend Saturday morning painting children’s faces at a church. It would have been a welcome contrast to the weekslong onslaught of federal immigration enforcement and protests that have overwhelmed her home in the Twin Cities.

Being an active participant in her community is important for Carlson, and she had spent the last three weeks learning about mutual aid and participating in grassroots efforts to warn her neighbors of impending federal immigration action. The fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer earlier this month proved to Carlson and other Minnesotans that the potential for danger as an observer was not abstract.

“I know every time I leave my vehicle or leave my house and I put that whistle around my neck, I know because of Renee Good, the risk,” she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper during an interview Tuesday. “I think we all knew after that happened, it is now at that point, and it could be any of us.”

But she had no way of knowing that she would soon watch a man die — or that her video of that fatal incident would serve as a crucial counter to the Trump administration’s initial efforts to paint Alex Pretti as a wannabe assassin or domestic terrorist.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

1. Anderson Cooper did an excellent interview with her today. Nt

[MustLoveBeagles]

2. I hope she stays safe

[sarisataka]

3. Thanks for posting WG

I know Ms Carlson personally, my wife is a face painter as well. She is a sweet and very talented lady. I am very sorry for the trauma she is going through having had to witness that execution up close.

[Deuxcents]

4. Does she or your wife know how the woman who was thrown to the ground in the video is doing?

I can’t imagine how traumatic this was for them 🌺

[sarisataka]

5. As far as I am aware

The two women assaulted by the agents only had minor injuries.
Now that she has gone public, my wife will reach out to Stella to see if she is willing to reveal any more information

[Deuxcents]

7. A follow up on both of them would be good to know..can't help thinking of all of you during this occupation

[sarisataka]

12. My wife received a PM in return from Stella

She is being careful about what she says outside of recorded interviews knowing that words can be twisted
(to be clear her relationship to my wife is one of people with a shared love of art, not best pals. I do not have the talent, but I am brought along to be a canvas for the painters when they get together to practice)

She did say the women assaulted by ice were walking away under their own power and did not seem in need of medical attention. She admitted she had to watch her own video as at the moment her attention was focused on Alex's body

[Deuxcents]

15. Thank you..I feel like we're all Minneapolis in our hearts and want to know you are safe making good trouble

[hamsterjill]

6. I hope you will send her our thanks.

Our admiration, and our hopes for her to have peace.

[sarisataka]

8. We certainly will do that

[sarisataka]

14. As I said above to Deuxcents

Stella did reply to my wife via PM.

She appreciates knowing that that there are people out there supporting her and downplayed her role saying any of the witnesses would have done the same thing.

[hamsterjill]

16. Thank you.

She sounds like a humble soul. I'm sure she is being hounded, threatened, etc. And I do mean what I said in my first post to you - I sincerely wish her peace because I'm sure that is all she wants right now.

Appreciate it!

[IronLionZion]

9. Very brave to show her face since ICE has many dangerous supporters

I'm glad ICE didn't get her next for simply being nearby with a camera. Since that was was Alex Pretti's capital offense.

[NoMoreRepugs]

10. Compare her bravery to the little dick ICE chickenshits hiding behind masks.

[blue_jay]

11. Just saw the full video

It's worth a watch. https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/us/video/ac360stellacarlson