ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Identified as Victim of Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
The victim of a fatal shooting by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis has been identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse with no criminal record beyond traffic citations. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2026, near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, marking the second such killing by ICE agents in the city within 17 days, following the death of Renee Good.
Video Evidence Contradicts Official Accounts of the Shooting
Bystander footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Pretti filming ICE agents during an operation. The video depicts Pretti moving to assist individuals on the sidewalk who were being pepper-sprayed by agents. He was then tackled by at least five officers, dragged to the ground, and struck repeatedly. A gunshot is heard during the struggle, followed by an agent firing multiple shots while Pretti was on the pavement. Ten shots were fired within five seconds.
After the shooting, agents backed away from Pretti's body, with one appearing to hold a gun and fleeing the scene to hide behind a nearby car. This visual evidence starkly contrasts with statements from the federal government and President Donald Trump, who claim Pretti threatened agents with a gun, allegedly recovered from the scene. Carrying a licensed handgun with a permit is legal in Minnesota, and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner.
Alex Pretti: A Dedicated Healthcare Professional and Compassionate Individual
Pretti, who lived in south Minneapolis, worked as an ICU nurse, having obtained his nursing license in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had previously worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs, providing healthcare to critically ill veterans. His father, Michael Pretti, told the Associated Press that his son "cared about people deeply" and was protesting ICE operations out of concern for others.
Dr Dimitri Drekonja, an infectious disease doctor and professor at the University of Minnesota, who worked with Pretti at the VA, described him as a "good kind person who lived to help" and expressed intense anger over his death. Pretti's only known criminal history was traffic citations, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Political Reactions and Calls for Accountability
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a press conference rejecting the Department of Homeland Security's portrayal of Pretti as a violent criminal and the shooting as self-defense, calling it "nonsense" and "lies." The Minneapolis Senate Delegation offered condolences and pledged to hold those responsible accountable.
Democratic Senator and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the killing, stating, "Masked and lawless DHS agents have brutally killed another American citizen in Minneapolis," and vowing criminal accountability for the agents involved. The DHS has announced it will investigate the shooting internally, rather than involving the FBI, despite already issuing a statement claiming self-defense.
Widespread Protests and Ongoing Investigations
Pretti's death has sparked widespread protests in Minneapolis, similar to those following Renee Good's killing. The DHS claims Pretti was carrying two magazines of ammunition and lacked ID, but these details have been met with skepticism amid the video evidence and public outcry. The incident underscores tensions over federal law enforcement actions and raises urgent questions about transparency and justice in such shootings.
