Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis ICU nurse, was fatally shot by U.S. federal agents on January 24, 2026, d
Alex Pretti was an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a licensed gun owner with a Minnesota concealed-carry permit. He was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2011. Pretti was active in protests against federal immigration enforcement following the killing of Renée Good earlier in January 2026 and was known for his community involvement and caring nature
On January 24, 2026, Pretti was filming federal agents with his phone and assisting civilians near Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative. Video evidence shows that Pretti stood between an agent and a woman who had been pushed to the ground, attempting to protect her. He was then pepper-sprayed and wrestled to the ground by multiple agents, including Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez
Bystander videos verified by Reuters, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, and AP indicate that Pretti was holding a cell phone, not a gun, in the moments before being pinned. Agents shot at him at least ten times within five seconds, continuing after he was motionless on the ground. One agent removed a firearm from Pretti’s waistband after he was down, but there is no verified evidence that Pretti fired his weapon
Controversy and Public Response
The Department of Homeland Security initially claimed Pretti approached agents with a 9mm handgun and resisted disarmament. However, video evidence contradicts these claims, showing he did not brandish a weapon. The shooting sparked widespread protests and criticism of federal immigration enforcement tactics, with calls for accountability and independent investigations
Pretti’s family condemned the administration’s statements, emphasizing that he was unarmed and attempting to protect others. A GoFundMe campaign supporting his family raised nearly $2 million, reflecting national attention and community support
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), in cooperation with the FBI and Department of Justice, is conducting an ongoing investigation. The BCA has collected witness statements, physical evidence, and video footage to provide an impartial review. Findings will be presented to prosecutorial authorities once the investigation concludes
Minnesota's State Portal
Alex Pretti’s death has intensified debates over federal immigration enforcement, use-of-force policies, and civil rights. His final actions—protecting a fellow protester—have been widely recognized, and vigils and memorials have been held in his honor, highlighting his impact on the community and the national conversation on law enforcement accountability
Killing of Alex Pretti - Wikipedia
Man fatally shot by federal officer in Minnesota worked as an ICU nurse ...
