Apart from remarks made by political leaders, the family of Alex Pretti has also spoken publicly about his death, offering a deeply personal account of who he was and forcefully condemning the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.

In an unusually direct and strongly worded statement, former U.S. president Barack Obama criticized the killing of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen who was shot by a federal agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Obama placed responsibility on the Trump administration’s handling of federal law enforcement, calling the incident “a heartbreaking tragedy” and warning that it reflected a broader erosion of core American values.

Speaking on January 25, 2026, Obama described the killing as a moment that should concern Americans across the political spectrum. He argued that recent federal actions had contributed to an environment of escalation rather than restraint, referencing the unrest that followed the fatal shootings of both Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier that month.

According to Obama, administration officials appeared “eager to escalate the situation,” and he accused federal agents of using tactics that were unprecedented, intimidating, and ultimately dangerous. For weeks prior to the shooting, video footage had circulated online showing masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other federal officers conducting aggressive operations in residential neighborhoods, fueling public concern and protests.

Obama echoed criticism previously voiced by a former Department of Homeland Security lawyer, characterizing the conduct of federal agents as “embarrassing, lawless and cruel.” He went further by accusing the administration of offering public explanations for the deaths of Pretti and Good that were not grounded in thorough investigations and appeared to conflict with available video evidence.

In calling for de-escalation, Obama urged federal authorities to work cooperatively with Tim Walz, Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement officials to prevent further loss of life and restore public trust. He warned that failure to act could place more Americans at risk.

He also expressed support for peaceful demonstrations taking place across the country, describing them as a reminder of the public’s ability to demand accountability, transparency, and justice from government institutions.

While Obama’s remarks amplified national attention on the case, it has been the voice of Pretti’s family that has added the most personal and emotional dimension to the tragedy. In their first public statement since the on-camera shooting, the family said they were both heartbroken and angry, condemning what they described as a campaign of misinformation following their son’s death.

“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” the family said. They rejected claims that Pretti posed a threat to officers, stating that video evidence shows he was not holding a gun when he was confronted by federal agents during the ICE operation.

Footage from the scene appears to show Pretti attempting to shield a woman who had been pushed to the ground by officers. With a phone in his right hand and his left arm raised in what looks like a protective gesture, he was forcibly separated from her, pepper-sprayed, and restrained by multiple agents. Moments later, gunfire erupted, killing him.

The family described Pretti as a compassionate and service-oriented individual who dedicated his professional life to caring for others. They noted that he worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, where he treated American veterans.

“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,” the statement read.

They characterized him as a hero, emphasizing that his final actions were consistent with the values he lived by. According to the family, Pretti’s last instinct was to protect someone else from harm.

“Alex wanted to make a difference in this world,” they said. “Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman.”

Federal authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security, have stated that Pretti was armed with a 9mm handgun and that agents fired in self-defense. His family has firmly disputed that account, arguing that the weapon was not in his hands at the time of the shooting and that the official narrative misrepresents what occurred.

“He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper-sprayed,” the family said.

They concluded their statement with an appeal for accountability and public awareness, urging people to focus on the evidence and on who their son was beyond the claims made in the aftermath of his death.

“Please get the truth out about our son,” they said. “He was a good man.”

As investigations continue and public scrutiny intensifies, the death of Alex Pretti has become a focal point in the broader debate over the use of force by federal agents, the handling of immigration enforcement, and the need for transparent, independent review. For his family, friends, and community, it remains above all a profound personal loss.

At this time, condolences continue to pour in for Pretti’s loved ones as they grieve the loss of a son, caregiver, and community member whose life ended under circumstances that many believe demand answers.