Tragic Shooting in Minneapolis: ICU Nurse Killed by Federal Agents Amid Immigration Crackdown…

MINNEAPOLIS — In a deadly confrontation that has ignited widespread protests and deepened the rift between state and federal authorities, federal immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, during an enforcement operation on Saturday morning, January 24, 2026. The incident, captured on bystander videos, has sparked accusations of excessive force and murder from local officials and witnesses, while federal authorities maintain it was a justified act of self-defense.

Pretti, who worked at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center for five years, was described by colleagues and family as a dedicated healthcare professional who assisted in research on preventing colon cancer deaths among veterans. He had put himself through nursing school while employed at the VA and was a member of the American Federation of Government Employees union. With no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations, Pretti was a lawful gun owner holding a permit to carry a concealed firearm—a detail that has become central to the controversy surrounding his death.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 a.m. at the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and West 26th Street in south Minneapolis, amid ongoing anti-ICE protests against the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown. According to eyewitness accounts and video footage analyzed by multiple news outlets, Pretti approached the scene after agents allegedly pushed a female protester to the ground. He appeared to be checking on her welfare when a physical altercation ensued. Videos show several masked federal agents—part of a Border Patrol tactical unit—wrestling Pretti to the ground. One agent removed a 9mm semiautomatic handgun from Pretti’s waistband holster, after which at least nine shots were fired, killing him at the scene. Bystanders and analysts note that Pretti did not brandish or draw the weapon himself, and he was seen holding only a cellphone moments earlier.4450c9b5017de9525346bf53
Federal officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provided a contrasting narrative. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Pretti “approached agents with a handgun” and “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him, prompting a Border Patrol agent to fire “defensive shots” out of fear for his life and the safety of others. Officials emphasized that Pretti was carrying two loaded magazines with dozens of rounds and lacked identification at the time. President Trump echoed this on Truth Social, posting an image of the firearm and describing it as “loaded and ready to go,” while accusing local leaders of a cover-up and linking the incident to broader claims of election fraud in Somali communities.283e1b41c2e37d5476 Noem further characterized the scene as a “violent riot,” alleging that a protester bit off an agent’s finger and that Pretti may have grabbed the gun and fired first—though she acknowledged the situation remains “fluid” as videos are reviewed.

However, Minnesota state officials and witnesses vehemently dispute the federal account. Governor Tim Walz called the DHS narrative “nonsense” and “lies,” insisting that videos clearly show the gun was removed before shots were fired. “This was a sickening act of excessive force,” Walz said, demanding that the state lead the investigation and billing the federal government for associated costs. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey filed for a temporary restraining order to halt federal immigration operations in the city, describing them as an “invasion.” State Attorney General Keith Ellison announced plans for court action to remove ICE from Minnesota, while Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, along with Representative Betty McCollum, condemned the shooting as reckless and called for federal agents to wear body cameras.f8922ddd6d2c95539b
Pretti’s family, speaking through the Associated Press, expressed devastation, highlighting his compassionate nature. “He cared about people deeply,” his father said from Wisconsin. They confirmed his role as an ICU nurse and his legal firearm permit, rejecting claims that he posed a threat.6cdf5aa63979 The American Nurses Association issued a statement demanding transparency, while unions and community leaders, including Representative Ilhan Omar, labeled the incident “murder” and tied it to broader criticisms of federal overreach.
The shooting marks the second fatal encounter involving federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the killing of Renee Good earlier in the month. Protests erupted immediately after the incident, with hundreds gathering at the scene despite frigid temperatures. Demonstrators chanted “ICE out of Minneapolis” and Pretti’s name, erecting barricades from dumpsters and furniture, and throwing objects like bottles and snowballs at agents. Federal officers responded with tear gas, pepper spray, smoke bombs, and flash bangs to disperse the crowd. Fires were set, and clashes continued into the evening, prompting the postponement of a nearby NBA game and the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard in fluorescent vests for support.e071f1a3f0ea3bdaf9bc9169 Solidarity protests spread to Manhattan’s Union Square, where participants held signs decrying ICE tactics.f9833b
The investigation is now a point of contention. DHS announced it would lead the probe with assistance from the Department of Justice and FBI, bypassing typical state involvement—a move Walz criticized as obstructive, noting federal denial of access to the scene for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.027fdbbdb889c7486d Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Senator Lindsey Graham have defended the agents, with Graham planning legislation to crack down on “sanctuary cities” like Minneapolis.45039126f5b5
As tensions simmer, the incident underscores the volatile intersection of immigration policy, Second Amendment rights, and law enforcement accountability. Community leaders warn of further unrest if federal operations continue, while the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls for bipartisan efforts to de-escalate. Pretti’s death has become a flashpoint in the national debate over the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation agenda, with calls for justice echoing across social media and the streets.