The man fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis has been identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration, whose family has shared poignant details of his life and character.
A Compassionate Nurse and Activist
Alex Pretti was deeply committed to his work as an ICU nurse, where he dedicated himself to saving lives and caring for veterans. His family described him as having a profound compassion for others, which extended beyond the hospital walls into his community activism.
He had recently participated in protests in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Law Enforcement officer earlier this month. His father, Michael Pretti, explained that Alex was deeply distressed by President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement actions in the city and across the United States.
"He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset," Michael Pretti said. "He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others."
Family's Concerns and Tragic Outcome
In a recent conversation, Alex's parents, who reside in Wisconsin, urged him to exercise caution while demonstrating. "We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically," Michael Pretti recounted. "And he said he knows that. He knew that."
Tragically, on Saturday, Alex Pretti was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the shooting occurred after he "approached" US Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. However, officials did not specify if Pretti brandished the weapon, and it is not visible in bystander video of the incident obtained by The Associated Press.
Background and Investigation
Alex Pretti was a US citizen, born in Illinois, with no criminal history according to court documents. His family noted that he had never encountered law enforcement beyond a few traffic violations. They also revealed that he owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota, but they had never known him to carry it.
The family first learned of the shooting when contacted by an Associated Press reporter. After watching the video, they believed the man killed was their son and attempted to reach out to officials in Minnesota for information.
"I can't get any information from anybody," Michael Pretti said on Saturday. "The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrol's closed, the hospitals won't answer any questions?" Eventually, the family contacted the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who confirmed they had a body matching the name and description of their son.
Personal Life and Legacy
Beyond his professional and activist roles, Alex Pretti was a passionate outdoor enthusiast who cherished adventures with his Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule, who also died recently. His family remembers him as a kind-hearted individual who valued life and community.
The incident has sparked further protests and raised questions about ICE operations and use of force in Minneapolis, echoing the tensions that led to Alex's own activism. As the investigation continues, his family and community mourn the loss of a nurse who dedicated his life to helping others.
