Pakistani-American Doctor Expresses Grief Over Former Assistant's Fatal Shooting by ICE Agents
Aasma Shaukat, a Pakistan-born gastroenterologist and clinical researcher based in New York, has spoken out with profound shock and sorrow following the tragic death of her former colleague, Alex Pretti. The 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, an incident that Shaukat described as "senseless carnage" in a heartfelt post on social media platform X.
Doctor's Emotional Tribute to Kind-Hearted Nurse
Upon learning of Pretti's death, Dr. Shaukat immediately took to X to share her grief and memories of the young man she once mentored. "One of my former research assistants was killed by ICE in Minneapolis today," she wrote in her post. She continued with a touching tribute: "Alex was the kindest, sweetest human and an ICU nurse with a bright future ahead of him. May his soul rest in peace and this senseless carnage stop."
Shaukat first encountered Pretti approximately a decade ago when she hired him as a research assistant at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. She remembered him fondly as "the sweetest, kindest, gentlest soul you ever met" and noted his enthusiastic approach to healthcare. "He was very bright-eyed, bushy-tailed. He wanted to get into the health care field, work with patients and be a nurse," she recalled.
Controversial Circumstances Surrounding the Shooting
The fatal incident occurred on a Saturday approximately two kilometers from Pretti's residence in a quiet south Minneapolis neighborhood. According to official statements from law enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol agents were involved following what they described as a physical altercation. The Department of Homeland Security asserted that Pretti was carrying a 9mm handgun and posed a legitimate threat to officers during the encounter.
However, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara provided additional context, indicating that authorities believed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with proper permits for firearm possession. The situation became further complicated when Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, characterized Pretti as a "domestic terrorist"—a label vehemently rejected by his grieving family.
Family's Anguished Response and Community Outrage
In a powerful statement shared with The Washington Post, Pretti's family denounced the official characterization as consisting of "sickening lies" that were "reprehensible and disgusting." They presented an alternative narrative, claiming that Pretti had actually been attempting to protect a woman who had been pushed down by immigration agents during the confrontation.
The shooting ignited immediate protests and clashes near the scene, prompting federal agents to deploy tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse the gathered crowds. This community response reflected the deep tensions surrounding immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
Remembering Alex Pretti: Dedicated Nurse and Compassionate Individual
Alex Pretti served as an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, where he dedicated himself to caring for American veterans. His family emphasized his compassionate nature, stating: "Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse."
After completing nursing school, Pretti deliberately returned to the Minneapolis VA system, driven by what Shaukat described as "a high sense of duty." She explained his motivation: "He wanted to serve the veterans, just had a high sense of duty and thought they were a vulnerable group in the country who needed our help." The doctor added that Pretti remained hopeful about his future, aspiring to secure his own residence and vehicle.
Background and Previous Encounters with Authorities
Pretti graduated from the University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts in 2011 and maintained residence in Minneapolis throughout his professional life. Colleagues revealed that this was not his first problematic encounter with federal immigration authorities. Joshua Green, a co-worker, recalled that Pretti had previously arrived at work with a bandaged eye, explaining that he had been struck by an immigration agent during another incident.
Green further disclosed that Pretti had expressed intentions to participate in protests following the recent shooting of Renée Good, another individual fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier in the month. Pretti's father, Michael Pretti, confirmed to the Associated Press that he had warned his son to exercise caution during such demonstrations.
Dr. Shaukat's Personal Journey and Professional Standing
Aasma Shaukat, born in Pakistan and raised in Lahore before immigrating to the United States, has established herself as a respected gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. Her emotional response to Pretti's death highlights the personal connections that transcend professional relationships and the profound impact such violent incidents have on communities, particularly among healthcare professionals dedicated to saving lives.
The tragic shooting of Alex Pretti continues to raise significant questions about use of force by federal agents, the characterization of individuals involved in such incidents, and the broader implications for immigrant communities and their allies across the United States.
