Alex Jeffery Pretti: US Nurse Killed in Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown Shooting
Alex Jeffery Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse and US citizen, was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24, 2026, as reported by the Associated Press. The incident has ignited widespread protests and intensified tensions in a city already reeling from recent violence.
Who Was Alex Jeffery Pretti?
Born in Illinois, Pretti was a dedicated healthcare professional working at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. His family described him as a compassionate individual who deeply cared for people and was profoundly disturbed by President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
According to court records, Pretti had no criminal history, with only a few traffic tickets to his name. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed adventures with his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule, who had recently passed away.
Pretti had actively participated in protests following the January 7 killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. His father, Michael Pretti, stated, "He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset."
Michael Pretti added, "He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests."
What Led to the Shooting?
Details surrounding the shooting remain limited, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, issued a statement claiming that federal officers were conducting an operation and fired "defensive shots" after a man with a handgun approached them and "violently resisted" when officers attempted to disarm him.
However, Chief O'Hara noted that police believe Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. Bystander videos that emerged shortly after the incident show Pretti holding a phone, but none appear to depict him with a visible weapon.
The officer involved in the shooting is described as an eight-year veteran of the Border Patrol. The incident has drawn hundreds of protesters onto the frigid streets of Minneapolis, leading to clashes where federal officers wielded batons and deployed flash bangs.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, highlighting the personal stories behind the headlines.
