In the early hours of January 24, 2026, a Minneapolis street became the epicenter of a tragedy that has since ignited nationwide outrage and renewed scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement. Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents during Operation Metro Surge, a sweeping immigration crackdown launched under President Donald Trump’s second term.
What authorities initially described as a routine enforcement action quickly unraveled into a deadly confrontation—one now under intense investigation as bystander videos surfaced that sharply contradicted official accounts and raised serious questions about the use of force.
Pretti’s killing was the third shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis within three weeks, following the fatal shooting of Renée Good on January 7 and another non-fatal incident. Operation Metro Surge, described by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the largest immigration enforcement initiative in U.S. history, had already faced criticism for warrantless arrests, the detention of U.S. citizens, and violent clashes with protesters. By late January, more than 3,000 arrests had been made across Minnesota—but Pretti’s death transformed public concern into a full-scale demand for accountability.
Alex Pretti was far more than a name in a breaking-news headline. Born on November 9, 1988, in Park Ridge, Illinois, and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he came from a family of northern Italian heritage and was deeply rooted in service from a young age. A standout student at Preble High School, Pretti played multiple sports, sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2011 with a degree in biology, society, and the environment, he began working at the Minneapolis VA as a research assistant before becoming a registered nurse. Since 2021, he served in the ICU, caring for critically ill veterans. Colleagues recalled his extraordinary compassion—holding patients’ hands, praying with them, and treating each veteran as if they were his sole responsibility.
Outside the hospital, Pretti was known as a quiet, generous neighbor in Minneapolis’ Lyndale area. He was an avid outdoorsman, competitive mountain biker, and environmental advocate. He was deeply attached to his Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule, who died the year before. Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a Minnesota permit to carry, though family and friends said he rarely did. He had no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations.
Pretti was also civically engaged. He had participated in protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd and, more recently, demonstrations after Renée Good’s death. Just a week before he was killed, Pretti had suffered a broken rib after being tackled by federal agents at a protest—an injury later confirmed by medical records.
The fatal incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood. Federal agents were attempting to detain an undocumented immigrant who had fled into a donut shop, prompting employees to lock the doors. Across the street, Pretti began filming the encounter while directing traffic.
Videos later verified by The New York Times, BBC, Reuters, and CNN show agents aggressively pushing civilians, including a woman who was knocked to the ground. Pretti stepped between her and an agent, briefly touching the agent’s waist in what witnesses described as an attempt to de-escalate the situation. He was pepper-sprayed, taken to the ground by multiple agents, and restrained.
An agent removed Pretti’s holstered handgun. Moments later, agents shouted “gun” and fired at least ten shots in roughly five seconds at close range. Medical professionals at the scene reported gunshot wounds to Pretti’s back, chest, and possibly his neck. CPR was attempted only after initial resistance from agents.
DHS initially claimed Pretti approached agents with a drawn weapon and posed an imminent threat. However, video evidence shows him holding a cellphone in one hand and eyeglasses in the other, with no indication he ever brandished his firearm. Legal experts noted that even if resistance had occurred, the response appeared grossly disproportionate.
The aftermath was immediate and volatile. Protesters gathered at the scene and were met with tear gas, stun grenades, and pepper spray. Demonstrations soon spread to cities nationwide, including Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles. In Minneapolis, vigils formed at the site of the shooting, where flowers, candles, and pine cones spelling “Long Live Alex Pretti” created a growing memorial. A GoFundMe for his family surpassed $1 million within days. The NBA postponed a Timberwolves–Warriors game, marking the moment with a pregame silence.
Minnesota officials condemned the killing. Governor Tim Walz called it “sickening,” activated the National Guard, and demanded an immediate end to Operation Metro Surge. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Representative Ilhan Omar accused federal authorities of obstruction and misinformation. State investigators were initially denied access to the scene despite a warrant, prompting a federal judge to issue an emergency order preserving evidence.
The Trump administration defended the agents involved. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” while Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino praised the officers as victims—a stance that drew widespread backlash. Bovino was later removed from Minnesota, and amid growing pressure, President Trump signaled a possible “reset” of the operation.
Pretti’s family responded with grief and fury. “We are heartbroken and angry,” they said in a statement, condemning what they called “reprehensible lies” about their son. His sister Micayla described Alex as a hero who “touched more lives than he ever realized,” while his mother, Susan, emphasized his love of country and deep opposition to injustice.
The nursing community was devastated. Organizations including National Nurses United and the American Federation of Government Employees demanded the abolition of ICE, calling federal agents a public health threat. Veterans and coworkers shared stories of Pretti sitting with dying patients for hours, ensuring no one passed alone.
As grief spread, misinformation followed. False claims circulated online alleging that Pretti was related to Willie Nelson—claims entirely unfounded and debunked by major news outlets. The hoaxes only deepened the family’s pain and distracted from urgent questions of accountability.
As investigations continue—currently led by DHS amid calls for independent oversight—Alex Pretti’s death has become a defining flashpoint in debates over immigration enforcement, protest rights, gun laws, and federal power. For those who knew him, however, the issue is far simpler: a healer dedicated his life to caring for others and lost it in a moment that has left a city mourning and a nation reckoning.