Agents on Leave After Shooting Minnesota Nurse Alex Pretti

Two Border Patrol agents who fired shots at Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse from Minneapolis, have been placed on paid administrative leave following his death on January 24, 2026. The incident took place near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood during protests against federal immigration enforcement operations. Pretti was shot multiple times after approaching officers who were detaining people outside a donut shop, in an event captured on multiple videos that show pepper spray used first, followed by 10 shots fired in under five seconds.

Background

Alex Pretti worked as an intensive care nurse for the Department of Veterans Affairs. On the morning of January 24, federal agents from Customs and Border Protection were carrying out an operation in Minneapolis called Operation Metro Surge. This operation came after the killing of Renée Good on January 7 by an ICE agent, which sparked widespread protests across the city. Protesters gathered to oppose the increased presence of immigration agents in local neighborhoods.

Around 8:56 a.m., at least eight federal officers stood outside Glam Doll Donuts on Nicollet Avenue. Officers prepared canisters of pepper spray as more protesters arrived. The area was busy with people watching the agents detain individuals. Pretti, who lived nearby, came across the scene while walking. Witnesses said he was trying to direct traffic and record the agents with his phone as they pursued someone who had run into the donut shop. Employees there locked the doors to keep the person inside safe.

Federal agents were dealing with two women blowing whistles near the roadway. An officer told them to move out of the street for safety. One woman ran toward Pretti, who was standing nearby holding his phone. The officer tried to push both away from traffic but they did not move right away. This set off the chain of events that ended with Pretti dead on the pavement.

The shooting happened amid tension from days of protests. Federal agents had been in Minneapolis for weeks, conducting arrests and searches. Local residents complained about heavy-handed tactics, and videos of the Pretti shooting quickly spread online, drawing national attention.

Key Details

Videos verified from six different angles provide a clear timeline of the shooting. At 8:58 a.m., three minutes before the first shot, Pretti held up his phone toward a federal officer on Nicollet Avenue. He appeared to be recording a nearby detention. A second officer with pepper spray approached him at 8:58:22 a.m.

Timeline of the Incident

• 8:58:29 a.m.: An officer pushes Pretti toward the sidewalk.
• 8:59:08 a.m.: Another person starts recording. Pretti keeps his phone raised as officers detain someone in the street.
• 9:00:21 a.m.: Two people who had been pepper-sprayed talk with an agent. Cars pass by, and the officer warns about traffic.
• 9:00:41 a.m.: The officer shouts at civilians not to push into traffic and pushes them toward Pretti.
• 9:00:50 a.m.: The officer sprays pepper spray at Pretti, who raises his hand as if to protect another person or signal he is no threat.
• 9:00:53 a.m.: More spray hits the group.
• 9:00:54 a.m.: Pretti falls into another person, grabbing to steady himself.
• 9:00:56 a.m.: An officer pulls Pretti into the street by his coat hood.
• 9:01:16 a.m.: First shot fires. Three more shots follow one second later. Pretti goes limp.
• 9:01:19 a.m.: Six more shots in three seconds as agents step back.

Forensic audio analysis shows 10 shots fired in less than five seconds. Pretti had wounds in his back, chest, and possibly neck, according to a doctor's affidavit from the scene. An agent in a gray jacket reached into the scuffle empty-handed and came out with a gun. He said 74 seconds later, 'I got the gun. I got the gun.'

Pretti had a lawful permit to carry a firearm in Minnesota. Agents recovered a handgun, two magazines, and no ID from him. Videos show his right hand holding a phone and left hand empty before shots. Some agents wore body cameras, which may provide more footage.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti arrived to inflict damage and kill officers. A preliminary CBP review to Congress says an agent sprayed OC spray, then two agents fired five seconds later after one secured Pretti's gun.

"What the videos depict is that this guy did not walk up to anybody from CBP in a threatening manner. For [DHS] to construe that he arrived at that location with the intent to shoot those border patrol officers, there's nothing in the video evidence that we've seen thus far that would support that." – John Cohen, former acting DHS undersecretary

Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino was demoted and is leaving Minnesota. Minnesota obtained a court order to preserve all evidence.

What This Means

The two agents who fired at Pretti are on leave pending investigation. A CBP internal review contradicts some White House claims about the events. Local and federal probes continue, with autopsy results and bullet evidence key to understanding what happened.

Protests in Minneapolis have grown since the shooting. Lawmakers from both parties call for full release of body camera footage and videos. The incident raises questions about use of force by federal agents in protest zones and how quickly situations escalate.

Pretti's death marks the second fatal encounter in Minneapolis involving immigration agents in weeks. It has fueled debate over arming federal officers during urban operations and the rights of bystanders to record police. Community leaders demand independent oversight.

Federal officials stress agents acted to protect themselves. Minnesota authorities hold that Pretti's permit was legal and witnesses saw no gun drawn by him. The gap between video evidence and official statements keeps tension high.

Investigators look at whether shots fired after Pretti fell were justified. The rapid fire of 10 rounds in seconds points to training on de-escalation under review. Families and activists wait for answers as the city grapples with federal presence.