DA says Pretti should not have brought gun to ICE protest

Author

Carly Heltzel
February 04, 2026

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, and I’m looking at photos of the fluffy faces from the Westminster dog show yesterday. Onto the five Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

SLO County’s district attorney said that Alex Pretti, the Minnesota man who was shot 10 times and killed by border patrol agents, should not have brought his legally owned and carried gun to an ICE protest. Pretti was recording agents with his phone when they saw his concealed weapon and disarmed him before opening fire on him. Dow said Pretti should have known the federal agents would perceive it as a threat and that the agents had “a right to go home safely to their families.”

2.

Twenty-six Cal Poly students were recognized at the State Capitol during the university’s 12th annual legislative showcase. SLO’s state senator and assemblymember introduced the students and their achievements in academics, research and leadership. Among the students were ASI President Marc Cabeliza, the president of the Cal Poly Rose Float team that won the sweepstakes award this year, a collegiate cycling champion and others who won major national awards in their fields.

3.

Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course might be better used as affordable housing, but it’s SLO City Council who must consider that decision. The golf course spends more than twice as much money on upkeep than it earns annually, though it still operates within budget, and it has two major renovation projects slated that would cost the city $850,000. With a city-wide housing crisis, that 26-acre piece of land is looking awfully appealing. 

4.

Electric vehicle sales are slipping since the Trump administration canceled a federal rebate program that gave customers money back on their EV purchase. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a statewide rebate program that would force auto manufacturers to match the state dollar-for-dollar. The details are not fully fleshed out for his $200 million plan, but some experts doubt that people who really need the incentive will benefit. 

5.

Batman went viral for trashing Santa Clara’s lack of preparation for ICE presence at the Super Bowl during public comment at a city council meeting. But turns out, he’s Batman for more than just that meeting. He has worn his homemade Batman costume for eight years while handing out food water and first aid supplies to homeless residents in the area. In 2020, others joined his collective of “Bay Area Superheroes” who volunteer while masked, including Queen Bee and Black Phoenix.