Summary (tl;dr)

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was fatally shot by federal Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026, marking the second fatal shooting by federal agents in the city this month amidst widespread protests and conflicting accounts from authorities and eyewitnesses.

Essential Background

Federal immigration enforcement, including agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol, has been conducting increased operations, often referred to as "Operation Metro Surge," in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These operations have generated significant tension between federal officials and local leaders, with some local authorities accusing federal agents of employing excessive force and creating chaos in the city. Earlier this month, on January 7, another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, also 37, was fatally shot by a federal agent, further escalating concerns about the federal presence and tactics.

The Full Story

On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. The incident occurred near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue amidst protests against a federal immigration crackdown. Eyewitness videos reportedly show Pretti filming agents with his phone and attempting to help another individual who had been pushed, before he was pepper-sprayed, wrestled to the ground by multiple agents, and then shot multiple times. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Pretti approached officers with a 9mm handgun, but video evidence and witness testimonies contradict this account, suggesting he was holding his phone and not brandishing a weapon when taken to the ground. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. This marks the third shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis in January 2026.

Why It Matters

The death of Alex Pretti has intensified public outrage and debate over the conduct of federal law enforcement agencies in local communities, particularly regarding immigration enforcement. The disparity between official federal statements and eyewitness video evidence has led to accusations of a false narrative and calls for accountability from local and state officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Pretti's background as an ICU nurse dedicated to caring for veterans has resonated deeply with the public and his family, who have fiercely defended his character against federal claims of him being a threat. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called for an immediate end to "Operation Metro Surge" and plans to seek a temporary restraining order against the federal operations, highlighting the perceived violence and chaos caused by the heavy federal presence. The incident fuels broader discussions about states' rights versus federal authority, police brutality, and the implications of federal crackdowns on U.S. citizens and legal immigrants.

Geographic Location

• Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States (fatal shooting of Alex Pretti)
• Whittier Park, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States (vigil held after the shooting)