Tragic Death of Alex Pretti: Minneapolis Nurse Fatally Shot by Federal Agents

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minneapolis community is in mourning following the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse and U.S. citizen, by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The incident occurred during a federal immigration operation in the Whittier neighborhood, sparking immediate local outrage and conflicting accounts from officials.

Incident Overview and Conflicting Accounts

The shooting took place around 9:05 AM at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), agents were conducting a targeted operation when Pretti approached them with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The DHS claims that agents fired “defensive shots” after Pretti “violently resisted” efforts to disarm him.

However, multiple bystander videos and witness statements provide a different perspective:

• Video Evidence: Footage analyzed by various news outlets appears to show Pretti filming the agents with a cellphone in his right hand. Witness accounts suggest he was attempting to assist a woman who had been shoved to the ground by officers.
• The Struggle: Video shows Pretti being pepper-sprayed and tackled by approximately six agents. One video analysis indicates an agent may have recovered a weapon from Pretti’s person before the fatal shots were fired, suggesting he may have been unarmed at the moment of the shooting.
• Official Stance: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that Pretti was a “lawful gun owner with a permit to carry” and had no significant criminal history, only minor traffic tickets.

About Alex Jeffrey Pretti

Alex Pretti was a resident of Minneapolis and a dedicated professional in the healthcare community.

• Career: He was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he cared for American veterans. Prior to nursing, he worked as a research scientist.
• Education: A 2011 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Pretti held a bachelor’s degree in biology, society, and the environment.
• Personal Life: Originally from Illinois and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he was described by neighbors and colleagues as a “kindhearted soul” and an avid outdoorsman.

“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for… The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible,” Pretti’s family said in a statement.

Political and Community Response

The shooting has significantly escalated tensions between Minnesota state leaders and the federal government.

• Governor’s Reaction: Governor Tim Walz called the federal account “nonsense” and described the federal presence in the city as an “absolute abomination,” calling for the removal of federal agents from the state.
• Legal Action: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced plans to seek a court order to pause the ongoing federal immigration “surge” in Minnesota.
• Protests: Following the incident, over 1,000 people gathered for a vigil and protest in Whittier Park. Federal agents reportedly used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to manage the crowds.
• Local Impact: The NBA postponed a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors to “prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community.”

Frequently Asked Questions: The Alex Pretti Incident

The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026, has raised urgent questions regarding federal law enforcement tactics and civil rights. Below are the most frequently asked questions based on current reports and official statements.

Who was Alex Jeffrey Pretti?

Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and a resident of Minneapolis. He was a highly respected ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he specialized in caring for veterans. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2011 and was known in his community as a “kindhearted, quiet professional” and an avid mountain biker.

Was Alex Pretti armed during the encounter?

This is the central point of dispute:

• The Federal Account: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and “violently resisted” disarming.
• The Eyewitness/Video Account: Bystander videos and eyewitnesses (including journalists) state that Pretti was holding a cellphone and filming the agents. Video analysis suggests agents may have removed a holstered weapon from his person after he was already pinned to the ground, moments before the shots were fired.
• Legal Status: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid Minnesota permit to carry.

Why were federal agents in Minneapolis?

The agents were part of a U.S. Border Patrol tactical unit conducting a targeted operation to apprehend Jose Huerta Chuma, an undocumented immigrant. This operation is part of a broader, intensified immigration crackdown by the Trump administration in major “sanctuary” or non-cooperative cities.

What sparked the physical confrontation?

Witnesses and video indicate that Pretti intervened when he saw federal agents push a woman (who was also filming) to the ground. He appeared to be acting as a “legal observer” or concerned bystander. Agents then pepper-sprayed him and tackled him to the sidewalk before the fatal shots were fired.

What has been the reaction from Minnesota officials?

The response from local and state leadership has been one of condemnation:

• Governor Tim Walz: Called the federal explanation “nonsense” and “propaganda,” demanding that federal agents leave the state immediately.
• Attorney General Keith Ellison: Has filed for a court order to halt federal “surge” operations in Minnesota, citing the danger to public safety.
• Police Chief Brian O’Hara: Stated that local police were not informed of the specifics of the federal operation beforehand.

Is this an isolated incident?

No. This is the second fatal shooting and third overall shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in the first three weeks of January 2026. The previous fatal incident involved Renee Nicole Good, which had already sparked weeks of daily protests in the Twin Cities.

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