ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Killed by Federal Agents in Minneapolis Clash

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse from south Minneapolis, died after federal officers shot him during an immigration enforcement operation on January 24, 2026. The shooting happened amid protests against federal activity in the city, marking the second time this month a local resident has been killed by federal agents.

Background

Minneapolis has seen growing tension over federal immigration enforcement in recent weeks. Federal agents, including Border Patrol, have increased operations in the city as part of a broader crackdown. Local leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, have pushed back against what they call an overreach that stirs up violence.

This is the second fatal shooting by federal officers in Minneapolis this January. On January 7, Renee Good, also 37, was killed in a similar encounter with an ICE agent. Federal officials say both cases involved people interfering with their work. City officials argue the heavy federal presence is the real problem, leading to chaos on the streets.

Pretti lived in a quiet fourplex on Garfield Avenue, about a mile and a half from the shooting site. Neighbors described him as quiet and kind. One who lived downstairs said he had a great heart and had been in the building for about three years.

Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. He joined the VA before earning his nursing degree in 2021, first helping recruit for a research study. Colleagues remembered him as dedicated and skilled. ICU work demands toughness, calm under pressure, and a sense of humor, they said, and Pretti had all those qualities.

Friends noted his love for mountain biking and his commitment to helping others. He had no criminal record, just some parking tickets. Police confirmed he was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry a firearm in public.

Pretti graduated from Preble High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2006. His family there learned of the shooting through news reports and video footage. They recognized him from bystander videos and tried to contact officials in Minnesota.

Key Details

The shooting took place during a federal operation targeting immigration issues. Multiple videos from bystanders captured the moments leading up to the gunfire. They show federal agents spraying Pretti with a substance, pinning him to the ground, and then shots ringing out.

The Confrontation

Department of Homeland Security officials said Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and resisted when they tried to disarm him. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino called it an attempt to do maximum damage to agents.

Local witnesses and officials tell a different story. They say Pretti did not brandish his gun. Video does not show the weapon clearly in his hand. Family members confirmed he owned a handgun and had a concealed carry permit for about three years, but said they never knew him to carry it.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti had only parking tickets on his record. Attorney General Keith Ellison confirmed his identity as the man killed.

At news conferences, Governor Walz rejected the federal account.

“Thank God we have video. It’s nonsense, people. It’s nonsense, and it’s lies.”
— Governor Tim Walz

Walz called for a full state investigation, like the one into Good's death. He said all understand the tragedy, especially since the man was a Minnesota resident.

Pretti's colleagues and union mourned him deeply. The AFGE local that represents VA professionals said a member had lost their life, leaving hearts heavy.

One coworker described watching the video: a man trying to help, buried under bodies, then gunshots. Another recalled Pretti pushing a dying Air Force veteran on a gurney for an honorary walk, with staff saluting. Family of that veteran said Pretti's actions showed his character.

Pretti's sister was overcome with emotion when reached by reporters. His family in Green Bay had warned him two weeks earlier to protest but not engage. He assured them he knew better.

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich called for a full investigation, noting Pretti as a local graduate now dead from federal actions in Minneapolis.

What This Means

The shooting deepens the divide between federal enforcers and Minneapolis leaders. Federal officials defend their agents, saying they face threats during operations. Local voices demand the agents leave or follow state rules, pointing to video evidence as key to uncovering the truth.

Governor Walz has laid out conditions through Attorney General Pam Bondi for ICE to pull back. These include limits on operations and more coordination with local police. The state plans its own probe into Pretti's death, separate from federal reviews.

Protests continue in the city, with residents upset over the back-to-back killings of citizens during federal work. Union leaders blame reckless policies for the violence. Colleagues say Pretti cared for veterans and would not seek harm.

Federal spokespeople say investigations are ongoing and facts will emerge. They stress agents acted to protect themselves. Minneapolis remains on edge, with calls for calm amid demands for accountability.

Pretti's death leaves a gap at the VA, where he served patients in tough conditions. Friends and family remember a man who fought the good fight, now gone in a flash of controversy. The city watches for what comes next in this standoff between levels of government.