Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Vijay Kumar
On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old American man, was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The incident took place near Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood amid heightened tensions from ongoing protests against immigration enforcement actions.
Pretti died at the scene after being shot multiple times by federal agents. Video footage and independent analysis show he was subdued on the ground by several agents before shots were fired; he was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Alex Pretti was an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he cared for veterans at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Colleagues and friends remembered him as compassionate, dedicated, and skilled, with deep commitment to helping others and a calm demeanor in his professional work.
A statement from the family of Alex Pretti, obtained by CNN:
"We are heartbroken but also very angry.
Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex…
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 25, 2026
Before his death, he had taken part in protests against federal immigration enforcement, including demonstrations following the earlier killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. He was described by family and supporters as someone troubled by what he saw as aggressive federal tactics and determined to stand up for people he felt were being mistreated.
Pretti grew up in the U.S. and held an active nursing license; he had also studied at the University of Minnesota. He lived in south Minneapolis and was known to be an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed adventures with his dog. His family said he “loved this country but hated what people were doing to it,” reflecting his mix of patriotism and activism.
In his personal life, Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit, and authorities reported recovering a firearm and magazines at the scene. However, independent video evidence casts doubt on whether he ever brandished the weapon during the encounter; some footage shows him holding only a phone when the confrontation escalated.
Family members, including his parents, described him as caring and generous, actively engaged in community and social justice causes. After his death, they urged for the truth about the shooting to emerge, insisting that he was trying to protect another person from pepper spray at the time of the incident and not threatening officers.
In terms of police and federal action, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated Pretti had “approached” Border Patrol agents with a handgun and that an agent fired in self-defense during efforts to disarm him. Local Minneapolis police and prosecutors have challenged federal control of the investigation, with state authorities seeking greater access to evidence and scene control.
Pretti’s death has sparked widespread protests, public outcry and political debate across the United States, with activists, medical professionals, and community members demanding accountability and transparency from federal law enforcement agencies.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
