At a Glance
- ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot point-blank by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 24.
- DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Pretti “approached” officers with a handgun and “violently resisted,” but videos show him holding a phone.
- Parents Michael and Susan Pretti called the shooting “sickening lies” and said their son had been preparing to protest two weeks earlier.
Why it matters: The case raises questions about federal law-enforcement conduct at protests and the protection of civilians.
On Jan. 24, a 37-year-old ICU nurse named Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration agents during a protest in Minneapolis. The shooting has sparked a heated debate over the conduct of federal officers and the veracity of the Department of Homeland Security’s statements. Parents, witnesses, and medical examiners are all offering conflicting accounts that paint a complex picture of the incident.
The Incident
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement on the day of the shooting. Assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Pretti was part of a “targeted operation” against an “illegal alien wanted for violent assault.” She claimed he “approached” officers armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” as they tried to disarm him. DHS said a U.S. Border Patrol officer shot Pretti point-blank.
Witness videos that surfaced after the statement contradict the DHS narrative. In the footage, Pretti is seen holding a cell phone, not a handgun, in the moments before the shooting. The videos also show him filming the protest and attempting to support other observers who were threatened with pepper spray by federal agents.
Family Perspective
Michael and Susan Pretti, Alex’s parents, spoke to the Associated Press a few days before their son’s death. They said they had discussed the repairs to his garage door and that Alex had tipped a Latino repairman $100 for the work. The parents also confirmed that Alex had planned to protest and had told his family to “protest but do not engage.”
After the shooting, the Prettis issued a statement through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. They described Alex as a “kindhearted soul” and rejected the DHS account, calling it “sickening lies.” The statement began, “We are heartbroken but also very angry.” They added, “Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact.”
Witness Accounts
Six witnesses have submitted affidavits about the shooting. Two of the most detailed accounts come from:
- A woman driving a vehicle who was instructed by Pretti where to park amid the protests. She says Pretti was filming the scene on his cell phone and walked over with his camera to support observers threatened with pepper spray. She reports that Pretti put his hands above his head when an agent sprayed him again and pushed him. He then tried to help a woman who had been shoved to the ground. The agents reportedly sprayed again, took Pretti down, and four or five agents began shooting him.
- A 29-year-old licensed pediatrician who attempted to provide medical care to Pretti, who was in critical condition. The pediatrician says the agents asked repeatedly for a physician’s license, patted him down to ensure he had no weapon, and then allowed him to assess the victim. The pediatrician observed that the agents did not check for a pulse or administer CPR. He notes that Pretti sustained at least 10 gunshots fired within five seconds.
These accounts suggest that the officers’ actions were not consistent with a routine disarmament procedure.
Legal and Investigative Context
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed the death and ruled it a homicide. The investigation is ongoing, with federal agencies reviewing the officers’ conduct. DHS’s statement remains unchallenged by the agency, but the contradictory videos and witness affidavits have prompted calls for a thorough review.
The incident also highlights the broader debate over federal law-enforcement presence at local protests. Critics argue that ICE and Border Patrol agents are not trained for crowd-control situations, while supporters say federal officers are necessary to enforce immigration laws.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 24 | Alex Pretti is shot by federal immigration agents during a Minneapolis protest. |
| Jan. 24 | DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin releases a statement describing a targeted operation. |
| Jan. 24 | Witness videos surface showing Pretti holding a phone, not a handgun. |
| Jan. 24 | Parents issue a statement calling the DHS account “sickening lies.” |
| Jan. 25 | A makeshift memorial is set up for Pretti in Minneapolis. |
| Ongoing | Medical examiner confirms homicide; federal investigation underway. |
Key Takeaways
- The shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents has sparked controversy over the conduct of federal officers at protests.
- DHS’s account of a “targeted operation” conflicts with witness videos that show Pretti holding a cell phone and not a handgun.
- Parents, witnesses, and medical examiners provide a narrative that challenges the official explanation and calls for a thorough investigation.
- The case underscores the tension between federal law-enforcement presence at local protests and the protection of civilian safety.
