At a Glance
- Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse fatally shot by federal agents.
- The incident occurred on Jan. 24, 2026 in Minneapolis during a protest.
- Video evidence contradicts the DHS account, showing Pretti unarmed.
- Why it matters: The case highlights tensions between federal immigration enforcement and protest movements, raising questions about accountability and police conduct.
Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, 2026. The shooting occurred amid a protest, and the family says video evidence shows Pretti was unarmed and was pepper-sprayed before being shot. The incident has sparked debate over the conduct of U.S. Border Patrol officers and the accuracy of official statements.
The Incident
At around 9 a.m. on the day of the protest, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, according to DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Moments later, officers fatally shot Alex Pretti.
DHS released a statement on X claiming:
“An individual approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and violently resisted as they attempted to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire defensive shots.”
The statement suggested that Pretti was armed and posed a threat.
Footage and Contradictions
Footage verified by The New York Times contradicts the DHS account. In the video, Pretti is seen standing among a group of protesters with both hands visible, holding his phone, as an agent sprays pepper spray at the crowd.
Several agents then moved in on Pretti, who did not appear to be holding or reaching for a weapon as he was pinned on the sidewalk. According to The New York Times, his gun appeared to have already been unholstered by an agent before he was shot in the back. He was struck by at least 10 gunshots fired within five seconds.
The video shows:
- Pretti holding a phone in his right hand.
- An agent spraying pepper spray toward the protesters.
- Multiple agents approaching and engaging Pretti.
- A rapid burst of gunfire that resulted in Pretti’s death.
Family Response
Alex’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, learned of the shooting from an Associated Press reporter. They confirmed his death with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.
In a statement obtained by CNN, the family wrote:
“We are heartbroken but also very angry. Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends, and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact.”
Later, Michael and Susan released a statement pushing back against claims from Trump administration officials. The statement read:
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand, and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper-sprayed.”
They ended the message with a plea for accountability and accuracy: “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.”
Background
Michael and Susan raised Alex in Green Bay, Wis., where he was active in multiple sports at Preble High School and was a Boy Scout and a member of the Green Bay Boy Choir. He later worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital.
Alex had a sister, whose name has not been publicly disclosed. She did not make a public statement about his death.
Alex was previously married. His ex-wife, who did not want to share her name publicly, had not spoken to him since they divorced more than two years ago. She moved out of Minnesota and said she was not surprised by reports that he had been present at demonstrations tied to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
She recalled that Alex could be outspoken toward police during protests but never considered him physically aggressive. She also said he obtained a permit to carry a concealed firearm roughly three years ago and owned at least one semiautomatic handgun at the time of their separation.
Aftermath
Michael and Susan last spoke to Alex about two days before his death. During the call, they discussed recent work he had done on his garage door, including a repair completed by a Latino worker whom Alex tipped $100 amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis.
The parents urged Alex to stay cautious while attending protests. “We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael told the Associated Press.
Alex’s death has led to increased scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics during protests. The family’s statements and the video evidence have prompted calls for a thorough investigation and greater transparency from DHS and U.S. Border Patrol.
The case remains a focal point in discussions about law-enforcement accountability, protest rights, and the conduct of federal agents in civilian settings.
