At a Glance
- Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal officers on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis.
- A licensed pediatrician who arrived at the scene said ICE agents counted bullet wounds instead of performing CPR.
- The doctor was denied entry initially and had to prove his medical license before being allowed to assess the victim.
- Why it matters: The incident raises questions about emergency response protocols during federal law-enforcement operations.
Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was shot by federal officers in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. A pediatrician who was on the scene reported that ICE agents focused on counting the victim’s bullet wounds rather than performing CPR, a claim that has sparked controversy over the handling of the emergency.
The Incident
The fatal shooting occurred early on a Saturday morning. The pediatrician, a 29-year-old licensed practitioner who had lived in Minneapolis since 2024, was awakened by “cars honking and whistles blowing” around 9 a.m. He entered the scene to find a chaotic crowd of civilians screaming and honking.
The doctor stated that his view was partially obstructed but that he saw ICE agents shoot the victim multiple times. He added that the agents did not allow him to enter at first and repeatedly asked for his physician’s license.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement on X after Pretti’s death, claiming that an individual had “approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun” and “violently resisted” an attempt to disarm him. An agent then “fired defensive shots” at Pretti, the DHS statement said.
However, footage verified by The New York Times appeared to contradict the DHS account. The video shows Pretti standing among protesters with both hands visible, holding his phone in one hand while an agent sprayed pepper spray at the group. Several agents then approached Pretti, who did not appear to be holding or pulling a weapon as he was pinned on the sidewalk.
Medical Response
The pediatrician’s court statement provides a detailed account of the medical response. He said:
> “The scene was chaotic. Many civilians were screaming and honking. Over the noise, I informed the ICE agents that I am a physician, and I asked to assess the victim,” the witness said.
He further explained that none of the ICE agents near the victim were performing CPR:
> “None of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR, and I could tell that the victim was in critical condition,” the physician added in the court papers.
The doctor insisted that the agents let him assess the victim, noting that he felt a professional and moral obligation to help:
> “I insisted that the agents let me assess him. Normally, I would not have been so persistent, but as a physician, I felt a professional and moral obligation to help this man, especially since none of the agents were helping him.”
He observed that the victim was lying on his side, which he described as non-standard practice:
> “As I approached, I saw that the victim was lying on his side and was surrounded by several ICE agents. I was confused as to why the victim was on his side, because that is not standard practice when a victim has been shot,” the physician added.
The pediatrician continued:
> “Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice. Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds. I asked the ICE agents if the victim had a pulse, and they said they did not know.”
He reported finding at least three bullet wounds in the victim’s back and later noticing an additional gunshot wound on the upper left chest and a possible wound on the neck. After checking for a pulse and finding none, he began CPR. EMS personnel arrived shortly after and took over:
> “I checked for a pulse, but I did not feel one. I immediately began CPR. Shortly after I started compressions, EMS personnel arrived and took over,” the witness said.
The doctor remained at the scene for about five more minutes before leaving, stating that the situation was escalating.
Legal and Police Statements
The pediatrician expressed extreme distress after leaving the scene, describing himself as “sobbing and shaking uncontrollably.” He noted that tear gas seeped into his apartment, prompting him to seek a nearby friend before driving 30 minutes to his sister’s house. He concluded:
> “I do not feel safe in my city.”
The doctor also stated that the victim was not actively threatening ICE agents or the public, adding that a person should not be shot and killed for lawfully expressing their opinions:
> “From what I could tell, the victim was not actively threatening ICE agents or the public – he was just yelling at the agents because he objected to ICE’s presence in our city. A person should not be shot and killed for lawfully expressing their opinions.”
An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Context and Background
The shooting of Alex Pretti follows the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, who was killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on the morning of January 7. Good was driving a maroon Honda Pilot when ICE agents had flooded the city and protesters were gathering. She was never able to return home.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities. It also raises concerns about the protocols used by federal officers during medical emergencies.
Key Takeaways
- The pediatrician’s account suggests ICE agents focused on counting bullet wounds rather than providing immediate medical care.
- The doctor faced initial denial of entry and had to prove his medical credentials before being allowed to assess the victim.
- Video evidence contradicts the DHS statement, showing the victim unarmed and surrounded by protesters.
- The incident follows a pattern of fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Minneapolis.
- Local residents and medical professionals are calling for clearer emergency response protocols during federal operations.
About the Source
The information presented here is derived from court documents and statements obtained by News Of Los Angeles. The report is based on the facts provided in the original article and the analysis.
Stay Informed
Subscribe to News Of Los Angeles‘s free True Crime newsletter for updates on ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.
