Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37-Year-Old ICU Nurse, Fatally Shot by Federal Agents During Immigration Enforcement Operation in Minneapolis

A 37-year-old Minneapolis man, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, has died after being shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Authorities confirmed Pretti was killed in south Minneapolis amid a surge of federal immigration actions that have already sparked protests and clashes in the city.

Pretti — a registered intensive care nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs and a University of Minnesota graduate — was identified by his family following the shooting. His parents described him as a compassionate caregiver who deeply cared about people, especially veterans he treated. Court records show he held a valid firearm permit and had no serious criminal history beyond minor traffic violations.

Video and reports from the scene show a chaotic encounter involving several federal agents. Federal officials assert that a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defense during an attempted disarmament, stating the man approached with a handgun. However, local authorities and bystander footage have raised questions about the circumstances leading up to the shooting, with Minneapolis leaders denouncing the use of force and calling for more transparency.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed outrage, saying footage appears to show agents using excessive force against a resident. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has criticized the federal operation and urged that the state lead the investigation.

Pretti’s death marks one of multiple controversial shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks, triggering ongoing protests and heightened tensions between local officials and federal authorities.

The investigation is continuing, and officials have not yet released a full, agreed-upon sequence of events leading up to the shooting.