Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a VA hospital, was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on the morning of January 24, 2026, on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident, which occurred around 9:05 a.m., has ignited widespread protests and conflicting narratives between federal authorities and local witnesses.
The shooting took place amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, already reeling from a previous fatal encounter involving federal agents earlier in the month. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Pretti allegedly approached officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and violently resisted when they attempted to disarm him.
Officials claim the agent discharged his weapon fearing for his life. However, this account has been challenged by multiple bystander videos and witness statements that suggest Pretti was not brandishing a weapon at the time he was shot.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Pretti had intervened during a confrontation between federal agents and another protester. Footage reviewed by local media appears to show Pretti attempting to assist the individual before being tackled by agents. A brief scuffle ensued, during which one agent reportedly disarmed Pretti. Moments later, he was shot. These conflicting accounts have fueled public outrage and led to calls for transparency and accountability from both federal and local officials.
Pretti’s death occurred as part of Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative that has drawn criticism for its aggressive tactics in urban areas. His killing marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis in January 2026, following the death of Renée Good earlier in the month. The cumulative effect of these incidents has intensified scrutiny of federal operations in the city and prompted legal challenges from civil rights groups.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in subzero temperatures outside the site of the shooting and later at government buildings, demanding justice for Pretti and an end to what they describe as militarized immigration enforcement. Candlelight vigils were held in his memory, with community members and colleagues remembering him as a compassionate caregiver who dedicated his life to serving veterans. His family described him as a “kind-hearted soul” who had no history of violence and was deeply committed to his work and community.
As the investigation unfolds, state and federal officials remain at odds over the handling of the case. A federal judge has temporarily blocked further immigration raids in the city pending review of the incident. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump stated that immigration agents would remain in Minnesota “for now,” despite mounting pressure from local leaders to withdraw. The city of Minneapolis continues to grapple with the aftermath of the shooting, as residents demand answers and accountability in the wake of Alex Pretti’s tragic death