A 32-year-old store manager from a small Ohio town lives in constant fear after online vigilantes wrongly identified him as the federal agent who fatally shot Veterans Affairs nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Evan Kilgore awoke on Sunday to a flood of death threats and 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 his life.
The Surge of Online Harassment
Kilgore recounted the ordeal, stating, “People were saying they were gonna hunt me down… they were going to find me, find my address, find my family.” The threats escalated rapidly, prompting local police to station a squad car outside his parents’ home for protection. Authorities expressed deep concern for the safety of Kilgore and his relatives amid the growing danger.
Despite never visiting Minneapolis or working in law enforcement, Kilgore became the target of fury over Pretti’s death. Video footage captured the incident from multiple angles, showing Pretti dragged to the ground during a protest and shot up to 10 times as agents attempted to detain him. None of the involved agents have been officially named by authorities, fueling public efforts to identify them.
Kilgore, bewildered by the accusations, emphasized his innocence: “I’m just a normal guy, I have nothing to do with this.” He provided evidence, including his Ohio-issued driver’s license, confirming he was nowhere near Minnesota on the day of the shooting.
Origin of the Misidentification
The false claim originated from a video posted by Atlantic City DJ and influencer Patrick Jeanty Jr., who has over one million followers. Jeanty shared Kilgore’s photo, declaring, “This is the POS that unalived Alex Pretti in Minnesota! His name is Evan Kilgore.” 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 removed the video but issued 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. I don’t apologize to racist white men who actively want black and brown people to die.” It remains unclear if Jeanty acted out of error or intent.
Escalating Threats and Police Response
Harassment intensified as users shared Kilgore’s image, claiming it depicted the masked shooter. Public posts called for violence, with one demanding his “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.” Others hoped threats would be acted upon and extended harm to his family.
The mob quickly located his parents’ address, linked to Kilgore online, leading to threatening calls. A police report noted, “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.” Officers investigated disturbing calls, including one with ominous clicking sounds and the address recited to intimidate.
Kilgore’s parents considered relocating temporarily, perhaps to Florida, while he took time off work due to stress. He described the impact: “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.” On Twitter, he pleaded for an end to the abuse, highlighting his Ohio residence and documenting every threat.
Kilgore’s Background and Future Actions
Kilgore manages a small retail chain in Ohio and engages as an amateur right-wing commentator on Twitter. He supports immigration enforcement policies but has criticized Trump administration figures and opposes certain foreign policies. His views, sometimes controversial, do not connect him to the incident.
Past controversies include his 2017 firing from Grace College & Seminary in Indiana alongside colleagues for 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 plans to pursue defamation lawsuits against Jeanty and others who propagated the false claims. Police are investigating potential criminal charges, with Kilgore noting, “The police are taking it very seriously.” The ongoing threats leave him uncertain about when the nightmare will end.
