DHS Secretary Claims Nurse 'Reacted Violently' Before Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has asserted that a 37-year-old registered nurse killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis was shot after he "reacted violently" during an encounter with federal officers. Speaking from Washington DC hours after the fatal incident, Noem provided an official account that has sparked significant controversy and scrutiny.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge Following Saturday Morning Shooting
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 am on Saturday near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis. According to the Department of Homeland Security, federal agents were in the area attempting to apprehend Jose Huerta-Chuma, described as an Ecuadorian national wanted for violent assault, when Alex Jeffrey Pretti approached them.
Secretary Noem stated: "An individual approached US Border Patrol Officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The officers attempted to disarm this individual but the armed suspect reacted violently... this looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene."
However, emerging evidence appears to contradict this official narrative. One video filmed moments before Pretti was killed shows him holding what appears to be a phone rather than a firearm. Another piece of footage suggests that an ICE officer had already removed Pretti's legally owned handgun from him moments before he was shot at least six times.
Victim Identified as Registered Nurse and Lawful Gun Owner
Minneapolis police have confirmed that Pretti was a white, 37-year-old Minnesota resident who was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have verified that he was a registered nurse, US citizen, and lawful gun owner with a valid permit.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara clarified that city police were not involved in the immigration operation and did not fire any weapons. O'Hara added that Pretti had no serious criminal history beyond minor parking violations, further complicating the official narrative of a violent confrontation.
Professional Background and Community Impact
Alex Jeffrey Pretti worked as a registered nurse for the Veterans Health Administration at the Minneapolis VA hospital, where he served as an intensive care nurse treating critically ill veterans. Public records indicate he earned approximately $90,000 in 2023, and colleagues have described him as a dedicated healthcare professional whose death has had a significant impact within the VA medical community.
His professional standing as a healthcare worker treating veterans has added another layer of complexity to the incident, raising questions about the circumstances that led to his fatal encounter with federal agents.
Federal Operation Details and Previous Incidents
The Department of Homeland Security maintains that Pretti was armed with a nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun and carrying two magazines when he approached federal agents. The agency states that officers attempted to disarm him before he allegedly resisted, leading to the fatal shooting.
Border Patrol officials have identified their initial target as Jose Huerta-Chuma, an Ecuadorian national with a criminal history that includes domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a license. However, federal court records reviewed by local media did not immediately list cases under his name.
This incident marks the third recent shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. On January 7, Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross after ignoring orders to get out of her car and attempting to drive away from a scene.
The conflicting accounts between official statements and emerging video evidence have created significant uncertainty about what exactly transpired during Saturday's fatal encounter, with community members and observers calling for thorough independent investigation.
