MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — A U.S. citizen and intensive care nurse, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday morning in Minneapolis, authorities and family members confirmed.
The fatal shooting occurred around 9:05 a.m. local time on January 24, 2026, near the intersection of West 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis during a federal immigration enforcement operation.
Who Was Alex Pretti?
Pretti was a 37‑year‑old registered nurse working in the intensive care unit at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, where he treated veterans, family and colleagues said.
He was born in Illinois and grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, attended Preble High School, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2011.
Pretti later earned his nursing license in 2021 and remained active as a caregiver until his death.
“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for,” his parents said in a statement. “Alex wanted to make a difference in this world.”
A colleague described him as an energetic, skilled ICU nurse, “always willing to help,” and remembered him fondly for both his professional care and personal warmth.
What Happened During the Shooting
Federal authorities, including U.S. Border Patrol agents, were conducting what the Department of Homeland Security called a targeted operation when the shooting occurred.
DHS officials claimed Pretti approached agents with a handgun and resisted disarmament, prompting one agent to fire defensive shots.
However, publicly available videos and eyewitness accounts show a different scene: in the moments before the shooting, Pretti is seen holding a cell phone and appearing to film agents or assist a woman who had been pushed down, then being pepper‑sprayed and wrestled to the ground by multiple agents before shots were fired.
At least ten shots were fired in the engagement, including several while Pretti was on the ground.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, though authorities have not clarified whether he brandished a weapon during the incident. He also noted that Pretti’s only prior interactions with law enforcement were minor, such as traffic tickets.
Reaction and Ongoing Tensions
Pretti’s death has added to mounting tensions in Minneapolis, where federal immigration enforcement actions have sparked widespread protests and criticism of excessive use of force.
Less than three weeks earlier, another Minneapolis shooting involving a federal immigration officer resulted in the killing of Renée Good, drawing national attention and demonstrations.
Local officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have condemned the federal operation, saying it has “stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement” and now represents “organised brutality” against residents.
Pretti’s family expressed heartbreak and frustration at official statements characterising him as a threat, calling such portrayals “sickening lies” and urging the public and media to “get the truth out about our son.”
