Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers fatally shot nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement protest that turned violent just before 9 a.m. This tragic incident marks the second time federal agents have killed someone in Minneapolis this month. The shooting happened about two weeks after an ICE officer took Renee Good’s life.
Federal immigration officers’ use of deadly force has created a disturbing pattern of violence. They have fired on more than a dozen people since last year, which resulted in five casualties and seven injuries. Pretti’s record showed only minor parking tickets according to authorities. He got his nursing license in 2021, and it would have remained valid through 2026.
Minnesota’s major federal crackdown has caught organizations across the country’s attention. The latest shooting took place on the city’s South Side, in the same area where an agent shot and killed Renee Good on Portland Avenue on January 7th.
Federal Agents Shoot Alex Pretti During Minneapolis Protest
Image Source: AP News
Federal agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue around 9:05 a.m. on January 24. The Department of Homeland Security claimed
Alex Pretti approached Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and “violently resisted” as agents tried to disarm him.
The New York Times’ video analysis painted a different picture that contradicted this account. The footage captured Pretti with a phone in his hand while he directed traffic and helped others. The video also showed agents who pepper-sprayed Pretti before they wrestled him to the ground. Within five seconds, they fired at least 10 shots.
Minneapolis identified Pretti as a 37-year-old ICU nurse who worked at a local VA hospital. His record showed nothing more serious than traffic tickets. Police Chief O’Hara confirmed Pretti’s status as a lawful gun owner with a valid carry permit.
The man fatally shot by federal agents sparked outrage from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who dismissed the official account as “nonsense” and “lies”. The ANA released a statement that expressed deep concern about Pretti’s killing and demanded a “full, unencumbered investigation”.
Federal officials blocked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s access to evidence, despite the bureau having a signed search warrant.
Who Was Alex Pretti, the ICU Nurse Killed by ICE
Image Source: NBC News
Alex Pretti grew up in Wisconsin after his birth in Illinois. The 37-year-old U.S. citizen had a clean record except for minor traffic violations. He completed his high school education at Green Bay Preble in 2006 and went on to get his biology degree from the University of Minnesota in 2011. This led him to start his career as a research scientist.
His nursing career began when he got his license in 2021. He served at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center’s intensive care unit where he cared for veterans in critical condition. His coworkers remembered him as “kind, funny, soft-spoken and beloved”. Pretti’s passing left a lasting, heartfelt impression on Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, who praised him as “thorough in his nursing practice… dedicated… intelligent.”
Before he died, he stood up for his beliefs at protests after ICE killed Renée Good in January. His father shared that “He cared about people deeply and was very upset with what was happening with ICE”. While Pretti was a legal gun owner with a carry permit, his family said he seldom carried his weapon.
The ANA reacted with deep concern to Pretti being killed and just needed “a full, unencumbered investigation”. He spent his free time enjoying outdoor activities and mountain biking[122], which showed his passion for nature and environmental causes.
Minnesota National Guard Activated Amid ICE Crackdown
Tensions High
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard on Saturday after the killing of Alex Pretti. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt requested this assistance at the Whipple Federal Building where ICE detainees were held. The sheriff cited a “potential for unrest” following the incident where federal agents fatally shot a man.
The Guard members will wear neon reflective vests to differentiate themselves from federal agents who have been wearing military-style uniforms. Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed his request for National Guard support as police resources stretched thin. “Our community is tired,” he stated.
The situation prompted Governor Walz to call the shooting “sickening” on social media. He just needed President Trump to “end this operation” and withdraw federal agents from Minnesota. Minnesotans were creating “a log of evidence for future prosecution of ICE agents,” Walz added.
The American Nurses Association voiced outrage after Pretti was identified as a VA nurse. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith condemned ICE’s continued presence. DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the agents and claimed protesters “attacked our law enforcement officer”.
The tension affected local sports too. The NBA postponed the scheduled game between Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors due to safety concerns.
Final Thoughts
The shooting of Alex Pretti marks a dangerous shift in federal immigration enforcement actions throughout Minneapolis. Local authorities and federal agents remain at odds as different stories surface about his death. The video evidence doesn’t match official statements, which raises serious questions about ICE operations’ transparency and accountability.
Minneapolis officials and residents are outraged over what they see as an unnecessary use of deadly force against someone with a clean record. Without doubt, the crisis has become so severe that Governor Walz had to call in the National Guard, particularly after several deadly encounters with federal agents these past weeks.
The ANA wants a complete investigation into what this means for healthcare workers who join peaceful protests. Federal officials have stymied state investigators who have the legal right to collect evidence.
Alex Pretti’s story paints a different picture – from his work as a research scientist to his role as a VA nurse helping veterans. His family, coworkers, and patients knew him as a caring provider and engaged citizen, not the threat to public safety as portrayed. The whole ordeal shows the growing rift between state and federal authorities during what Governor Walz calls a “major federal crackdown” in Minnesota. As protests continue and people just need answers, no clear solution appears in sight.
