Alex Pretti was shot dead by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 24, 2026. He was a 37-year-old intensive care nurse. The shooting happened during large demonstrations opposing a federal immigration crackdown. The incident came only weeks after another deadly case the January 7 killing of Renée Good, who was also shot by federal officers.
Who Was Alex Jeffrey Pretti?
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an American citizen who lived in Minneapolis. He was born in Illinois and finished high school at Preble High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2006.
Before entering the medical field, Pretti worked as a research scientist. He later attended the University of Minnesota and completed his studies in 2011 to begin a career in nursing. When he died, he had a valid nursing license issued in 2021 and was employed as an ICU nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis.
Pretti also belonged to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which is a labor union representing federal employees.
Authorities said Pretti legally owned a firearm and had a Minnesota concealed carry permit. Police records showed no major criminal history, only traffic violations.
Earlier in January 2026, Pretti had taken part in protests over the death of Renée Good. His father said Pretti understood that his parents were worried and had told him to remain cautious while attending demonstrations.
What Happened With Alex Jeffrey Pretti?
The shooting took place at 9:05 a.m. CST at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. A witness said ICE officers attempted to enter a restaurant but were refused entry.
Video recordings showed Pretti filming the officers. He then moved onto the sidewalk and tried to help two individuals. An officer used pepper spray on him.
According to the reports, Pretti held a person who had just been pushed by an officer. Another officer shoved Pretti, and both individuals fell backward while still holding each other.
Officers then pinned Pretti to the ground. One officer struck him with an object. Shortly after, about ten shots were fired within five seconds.
An analysis by The New York Times reported that officers shouted that Pretti had a gun around eight seconds after he had already been restrained on the ground.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Pretti "approached" Border Patrol officers with a handgun. It said an officer used mace and then fired defensive shots while trying to remove the weapon.
However, video evidence showed Pretti holding a phone in his right hand and nothing in his left. Two witnesses who gave sworn statements said he did not draw or show his firearm.
Multiple videos also showed a federal agent pulling out a gun during the struggle. That firearm matched the description later provided by DHS. After that moment, two other agents opened fire on Pretti.
Did agents disarm Alex Pretti before he was shot?
Discussion continued online about whether Pretti had already been disarmed before the shooting.
In a post on X, right-wing streamer Tim Pool shared a video that he said showed officers taking a weapon from Pretti before shots were fired. He questioned how the administration would explain the incident, writing: “Empty hand, then gun in hand. Appears the man may have been disarmed before being shot,” Pool wrote. “This is a chain of events in a greater conflict.”