On the morning of January 24, 2026, in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, was fatally shot by federal agents during a large immigration enforcement operation.

Pretti worked at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where colleagues described him as a calm and compassionate caregiver. According to local law-enforcement records, he was a lawful gun owner and held a valid Minnesota concealed-carry permit. What unfolded that morning has since become the subject of intense public scrutiny, multiple investigations, and widespread protests.

The Confrontation

Shortly before his death, Pretti was among residents and observers watching and recording the actions of federal immigration agents, including U.S. Border Patrol and ICE, who were conducting enforcement activity in south Minneapolis.

Bystander video reviewed by multiple news organizations shows that:

• Pretti was holding a cellphone as he filmed the agents in the moments leading up to the confrontation.

• At one point, he appears to move toward a woman who had been pushed to the ground by an officer.

• Agents then used a chemical irritant on Pretti, forced him to the ground, and restrained him.

• During the struggle, one agent appears to remove a firearm from Pretti’s waistband while he was already restrained.

• Seconds later, shots were fired, resulting in Pretti’s death.

Federal officials initially stated that Pretti had “approached officers with a handgun” and posed a threat, prompting agents to fire in self-defense. However, publicly available video footage and multiple witness accounts do not show Pretti brandishing or pointing a weapon at the time deadly force was used. These discrepancies are now central to ongoing investigations.

Federal and State Responses

The Department of Homeland Security has said internal reviews are underway, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the FBI.

Separately, the State of Minnesota obtained a temporary restraining order requiring DHS and its agencies to preserve all evidence related to the shooting. State officials sought the order after federal authorities restricted access to the scene and related materials.

Both Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz publicly condemned the incident and called for a reduction in the federal enforcement presence, citing concerns over public safety and accountability.

Remembering Alex Pretti

In their first public statement, Pretti’s family described themselves as “heartbroken and angry.” They rejected federal characterizations of the encounter, calling parts of the official narrative “sickening lies.” The family emphasized that Pretti was present as a concerned citizen and community member, not as a threat.

Friends, relatives, and coworkers remembered him as:

• A dedicated ICU nurse who cared deeply for veterans and patients in crisis.

• A kindhearted and empathetic person who consistently showed up for others.

• Someone motivated to engage in peaceful protest when he believed policies were unjust or harmful.

His father said Pretti wanted “to make a difference in this world,” describing him as guided by compassion and fairness in both his personal and professional life.

National Political Reaction

Pretti’s death quickly drew national attention.

Former President Barack Obama issued a rare and forceful statement calling the shooting a “heartbreaking tragedy” and warning that aggressive federal enforcement tactics risk undermining core American values. He urged transparency, de-escalation, and cooperation with local authorities.

Other national leaders from across the political spectrum called for independent investigation and accountability. At the same time, President Donald Trump defended federal immigration enforcement efforts, criticized Pretti for carrying a firearm—despite its legality under Minnesota law—and reiterated support for agents involved in enforcement operations.

That position prompted disagreement from some gun-rights advocates, who noted that lawful firearm possession alone does not justify the use of deadly force.

Public Outcry and Ongoing Questions

Following the shooting, protests erupted in Minneapolis and spread to other cities. Demonstrators have called for:

• Federal agents to withdraw from Minnesota.

• Full, independent investigations.

• Accountability for those responsible.

Civil-rights groups, unions, business leaders, and public figures have raised broader concerns about use of force, civil liberties, and the role of federal law-enforcement agencies operating in domestic communities.

What Comes Next

The killing of Alex Pretti has become more than a single tragic incident. It has intensified national debate over:

• Federal immigration enforcement tactics.

• The balance between law-enforcement authority and community rights.

• Transparency in officer-involved shootings.

• The rights of civilians to observe and document government actions.

As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the case remains a focal point for questions of accountability, public trust, and the limits of force—with many watching closely to see whether clarity and justice follow.