Intensive Care Nurse Alex Pretti Shot Dead by Federal Agents During Minneapolis Protest

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was fatally shot by U.S. federal agents during an immigration‑related operation in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, January 24, 2026.

Pretti, widely described by family, friends, and coworkers as a compassionate and dedicated caregiver, had spent years tending to veterans with serious medical needs. He was also a lawful gun owner with a permit and had no significant criminal history beyond minor traffic offenses.

The shooting occurred amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis tied to a sweeping federal immigration enforcement crackdown that has drawn protests and clashes between activists and law enforcement.

According to multiple eyewitness accounts and video footage from the scene, Pretti was filming or observing agents when interactions escalated. Bystander videos show him holding a mobile phone and moving toward agents who were pushing and pepper‑spraying civilians. In some clips, Pretti appears to be trying to help others who had been knocked down.

Federal authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), described the incident as a defensive use of force, saying Pretti approached Border Patrol officers while armed.

DHS released an image of a handgun it said was recovered, but family members and bystanders dispute the official portrayal, reporting that pre‑shooting footage shows Pretti with only a phone in his hand. Video reviewed by independent outlets indicates that at least one agent may have removed a gun from Pretti’s person before shots were fired.

Regardless of the differing narratives, at least one federal agent fired multiple rounds at Pretti, who was struck and killed at the scene. The precise number of shots reported varies, and investigations into the exact sequence remain ongoing.

Pretti’s family has strongly rejected claims that he posed a threat, saying he was attending the protests out of concern for immigration enforcement actions that he believed were harmful. They described him as someone who cared deeply about people both the patients he treated as a nurse and those affected by political and social issues. His colleagues remembered him as kind, energetic and committed to his work with veterans.

The Minneapolis Police Department has acknowledged the shooting and is working with local and state law enforcement, even as federal agencies initially restricted access to the scene.

The incident has sparked renewed demonstrations in Minnesota and drawn criticism from civil rights advocates and professional nursing organisations, which have called for transparent investigations into the actions of federal personnel.

Pretti’s death represents one of several controversial federal shootings in Minneapolis in recent weeks and has intensified scrutiny over the conduct of immigration enforcement operations in cities across the United States.

Sources: Associated Press, ABC News, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Washington Post