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Saturday’s killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), by one or more U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, Minn., represented the end of a “life devoted to healing,” according to his family, coworkers, and others across the health care industry.
The Jan. 24 shooting marked the third involving federal immigration officials in Minneapolis in January.
Pretti, 37, worked as a registered nurse in the ICU at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. He was fatally shot by federal agents near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue during immigration enforcement operations.
He was an avid outdoorsman who loved outdoor adventures with Joule, his Catahoula Leopard dog who also recently died, according to the family. Pretti had participated in protests following Minnesota mother Renee Good’s killing earlier in January.
State records show Pretti’s nursing license was active through March 31, 2026. His license was issued Jan. 19, 2021.
A Caregiver for Veterans
Pretti obtained his nursing license in January 2021 and worked in the ICU caring for critically ill veterans at the Minneapolis VA.
He attended nursing school at the University of Minnesota and assisted on scientific research projects prior to moving to clinical work supporting critically ill veterans, according to reports.
Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, chief of infectious diseases at the VA hospital and a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, described Pretti as an outstanding nurse deeply committed to patient care.
“He wanted to help people,” Drekonja told Lawyer Monthly. “He was always asking what he could do to help.”
Drekonja described Pretti as kind, hardworking and quick with humor, adding, “We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now.”
What Happened
Bystander videos widely circulated on social media in the aftermath of the shooting show Pretti watching federal immigration agents operating in south Minneapolis the morning of Jan. 24. He appears to attempt to assist another bystander, a female, when multiple agents appear to pepper spray and tackle him. While on the ground, multiple shots were fired.
The Department of Homeland Security said shortly after the shooting that Pretti “approached” Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Officials did not specify whether Pretti brandished the weapon, and the gun was not evident in bystander footage.
Federal authorities characterized Pretti as someone looking to harm officers during an enforcement operation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti was a Minneapolis resident believed to be an American citizen, with a permit to carry the firearm legally.
“We believe he is a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry,” O’Hara said.
Police records show Pretti’s only interactions with law enforcement involved traffic tickets.
‘Be Careful Protesting’
Pretti’s father, Michael Pretti, said his son cared deeply about people and was upset about immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
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 in a statement first obtained by CNN.
In a recent conversation, Pretti’s parents told him to be careful when protesting, according to CBS News.
“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael said. “And he said he knows that. He knew that.”
Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.
Investigation and Response
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said her office is working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and expects federal authorities to allow the bureau to process the scene.
Minneapolis police said DHS officials initially blocked local law enforcement from accessing the scene. O’Hara reportedly refused federal officials’ orders attempting to dismiss local police from the area.
Within hours of the shooting, large groups of protesters gathered at the site. Federal agents deployed tear gas and stun grenades. The Minnesota National Guard was activated to assist local departments.
Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino said the agent who shot Pretti had served with Border Patrol for eight years and had extensive training. The shooting prevented a potential massacre of law enforcement, according to Bovino.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, rejected federal framing of accounts after reviewing video footage, calling the federal narrative “nonsense” and “lies.” He said the federal government could not be trusted to investigate itself and insisted the state would conduct its own inquiry.
Context of Federal Immigration Operations
This is the third shooting involving federal immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis this month.
On Jan. 7, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Good during an immigration operation. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Good’s death a homicide. A third incident involved a non-fatal shooting by federal agents.
Walz and others, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other local and statewide officials, have repeatedly called on ICE agents to leave the city and state.
“We stand by our immigrant and refugee communities—know that you have our full support,” Frey said after Good’s death.
Minneapolis Senate delegation members released a statement identifying Pretti and supporting his loved ones.
“While we wait for more details, we share our deepest condolences to Alex Pretti, his family and friends, and the entire community impacted by this violence. We pledge to do everything in our power to make sure that those responsible are held accountable,” the statement read.
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus called for a full and transparent investigation by state and federal authorities.
“Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights,” the group said.
Similar views were expressed by the National Rifle Association after First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, posted on social media that perhaps Pretti’s shooting death was justified if he approached law enforcement with a weapon.
“This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong,” the NRA wrote on X.
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Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”
Nurses ‘Ethically Bound’ to Counter Injustice
For colleagues at the Minneapolis VA and beyond, Pretti’s death represents the broader loss of a dedicated health care professional who devoted his career to caring for veterans.
“A nurse’s job is to care for their patients, but they are also ethically bound to speak out in the face of injustice and human rights violations,” the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) said in a statement. “Alex…dedicated his life to caring for military veterans and their families. A life devoted to healing was cut short.”
A nurse’s job is to care for their patients—but they are also ethically bound to speak out in the face of injustice and human rights violations. Provision 8.2 of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses is clear: ‘Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability.’ That is exactly what Alex was doing. – ONA
Pretti’s death is a “solemn occasion affecting us all,” according to a statement issued by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) on Saturday that aligns with condolences expressed by fellow nursing and healthcare organizations.
“We also pause to reinforce that nurses’ advocacy extends beyond patients and patients’ families to work toward a society in which safety and well-being are the norm,” the AACN statement reads. “AACN supports a complete and transparent investigation and urges that findings be made available promptly.
“In this moment, let’s band together in our grief. We recognize that Alex’s death is especially distressing among the nursing community. We encourage nurses to support each other and seek peer or professional counsel as needed. Our well-being is paramount to our ability to provide excellent care to patients and their families.”
Legal Defense Fund (LDF) President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson called Pretti’s death a “senseless loss of life” that falls on the responsibility of DHS and Trump administration immigration policies.
“DHS agents continue to unleash terror in neighborhoods, endangering families, elders, and children with devastating consequences,” Nelson said in a statement. “This horrific killing is not an isolated incident but rather the predictable outcome of the persistent violence and other abusive and unlawful actions of federal authorities across the country—most recently in Minneapolis, where DHS presence has surged.
“DHS officers are also punishing those who exercise their constitutional right to engage in lawful protest against this administration and in support of their neighbors.”
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17 Comments
As someone who has worked in healthcare, I can attest to the kindness and dedication of nurses like Alex Pretti, who was described by his chief of infectious diseases as ‘kind, hardworking and quick with humor’.
The description of Pretti as an ‘outstanding nurse deeply committed to patient care’ by Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, chief of infectious diseases at the VA hospital, is a testament to his dedication to his work and his patients.
The makeshift memorial placed where Alex Pretti was fatally shot is a powerful symbol of the community’s response to the tragedy and their demand for justice and accountability.
I’m concerned about the impact of this event on the community, particularly the veterans who were cared for by Pretti at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, and the need for support and counseling services for those affected.
I’m curious to know more about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, particularly the events leading up to the moment when Pretti was fatally shot, and whether the use of force by the Border Patrol agents was justified.
The fact that Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who loved outdoor adventures with his dog Joule, who recently passed away, adds a personal touch to the story and highlights the human side of the tragedy.
I’m interested in learning more about the response of the Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara to the shooting, and whether he has commented on the use of force by the Border Patrol agents and the need for an investigation.
It’s worth noting that Pretti had participated in protests following the killing of Minnesota mother Renee Good earlier in January, which suggests that he was actively engaged in his community and advocating for justice.
The fact that Alex Pretti was a registered nurse in the ICU at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and was fatally shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation is disturbing, especially considering his role as a caregiver for veterans.
It’s heartbreaking to think that someone who dedicated their life to healing others met such a tragic end.
I’m skeptical about the Department of Homeland Security’s claim that Pretti approached Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, as bystander footage does not show the gun and officials did not specify whether it was brandished.
The fact that Pretti was a Minneapolis resident and was shot in his own community highlights the need for a thorough investigation into the incident and the need for accountability and justice for his family and loved ones.
The fact that Pretti’s nursing license was active through March 31, 2026, and was issued just a few years ago in January 2021, highlights the tragic loss of a young life and a promising career in healthcare.
As a supporter of social justice, I believe that the killing of Alex Pretti is a tragic reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in law enforcement, particularly in cases involving the use of force against civilians.
The description of the events leading up to the shooting, including the pepper spraying and tackling of Pretti, raises questions about the use of force by the Border Patrol agents and the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The fact that Pretti attended nursing school at the University of Minnesota and assisted on scientific research projects prior to moving to clinical work supporting critically ill veterans, highlights his commitment to his education and his career in healthcare.
The shooting of Alex Pretti marks the third involving federal immigration officials in Minneapolis in January, which raises serious concerns about the use of force by these agents and the need for a thorough investigation.