Summary (tl;dr)

A federal agent fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and nurse, in South Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, marking the third such incident involving federal officers in the city within three weeks and sparking widespread protests and condemnation from local officials.

Essential Background

The escalating tensions in Minneapolis stem from a recent surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, which commenced in early January 2026. This period has seen two prior shootings involving federal agents. On January 7, 2026, Renée Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent, an incident that prompted initial protests. A week later, on January 14, a Venezuelan man was shot in the leg by an ICE agent during an attempted arrest following a traffic stop. These events had already put Minneapolis on high alert and fueled calls for federal agents to leave the city.

The Full Story

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, identified as a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse and a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, was fatally shot by federal Border Patrol agents in the Whittier neighborhood of South Minneapolis. The shooting occurred around 9 a.m. near the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street. Accounts vary, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claiming agents fired "defensive shots" after Pretti allegedly approached them with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and resisted, while Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara stated Pretti had no serious criminal history. Eyewitness videos from inside a nearby business reportedly show agents wrestling Pretti to the ground and hitting him before multiple gunshots were heard. Following the shooting, hundreds of protesters gathered, leading to confrontations with law enforcement and the activation of the National Guard. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have criticized the federal presence and the events, with Walz calling for the "violent, untrained officers" to be pulled from the state and Mayor Frey citing video evidence contradicting the federal agents' narrative.

Why It Matters

This latest fatal shooting has significantly escalated public outrage and intensified demands for accountability regarding federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. The conflicting narratives from federal agencies and local authorities, coupled with available video evidence, raise critical questions about the use of force and transparency in federal operations. The repeated incidents and continued federal presence have strained relations between local and federal government, prompting calls for the withdrawal of agents from the state by Minnesota's Governor and Minneapolis's Mayor. The ongoing tensions and fear are impacting the community, leading to daily protests and concerns about safety and stability, even affecting school attendance.

Geographic Location

• South Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States (fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street)
• South Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States (fatal shooting of Renee Good on Portland Avenue South)