Protests Escalate in Minneapolis After Federal Agents Shoot and Kill Alex Pretti

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Widespread protests have erupted in Minneapolis and across the United States after a federal Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti during a federal immigration enforcement operation on January 24, 2026. The incident—one of multiple controversial federal agent shootings in Minneapolis in recent weeks—has fueled outrage, renewed debates about law enforcement overreach, and drawn criticism from local leaders and civil liberties advocates.

Pretti was a registered intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, colleagues and family members said. Known for his commitment to caring for others and his love of outdoor activities, he had worked with seriously ill patients and was remembered as a compassionate caregiver. His parents described him as someone who wanted to “make a difference in this world,” particularly in supporting American veterans he treated.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a nursing license issued in 2021, Pretti had no significant criminal record and was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. He was also actively participating in protests against federal immigration enforcement tactics following the recent shooting death of Renee Good, another Minneapolis resident killed by an ICE agent earlier in January.

What Happened During the Shooting

Federal authorities say that Border Patrol agents were conducting an immigration crackdown—part of a broader operation in Minnesota—when Pretti was killed. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims he approached agents with a handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him, prompting one agent to fire in what DHS described as “defensive shots.” According to officials, the encounter occurred near West 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis

However, bystander video footage and eyewitness accounts have raised serious questions about the official narrative. Multiple clips reviewed by journalists and open-source investigators show Pretti holding only a cellphone shortly before the confrontation, with no visible weapon in hand. Some analysts suggest a firearm may have been removed from him by an agent just prior to shots being fired, but footage remains contested and under review by independent groups.

After becoming pinned to the ground during a scuffle with federal agents, Pretti was shot multiple times. Local media reports indicate that at least ten shots were fired during the encounter.

Public Outcry and Expanding Protests

The killing immediately ignited protests in frigid Minneapolis streets, with hundreds of demonstrators demanding justice for Pretti and calling for an end to aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics by ICE and Border Patrol agents. Many chanted slogans such as “ICE out now” and “Justice for Alex Pretti” as law enforcement deployed tear gas and flash bangs to disperse crowds.

Protesters also rallied in other major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, where groups condemned what they see as an escalation in federal force against civilians, especially during a period of heightened public scrutiny over civil rights and policing practices

As tensions reached a boiling point, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard to assist with maintaining order, a rare and significant step that underscored the severity of the unrest. Walz publicly criticized the federal operation and called for ICE and federal agents to withdraw from Minneapolis, describing their tactics as disproportionate and counterproductive to public safety

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also condemned the federal response, urging federal authorities to end their operation, which he says has undermined local law enforcement efforts and eroded trust within the community.

Political and Legal Fallout

The incident has reverberated through political circles, intensifying the national debate on immigration policy and federal law enforcement powers. Civil rights advocates and local officials have called for transparent, independent investigations into the shooting and the broader immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, which has drawn scrutiny for its scale and use of force.

Some members of Congress and civil liberties groups are pushing for conditional funding to the Department of Homeland Security unless structural reforms to ICE and Border Patrol practices are enacted. Meanwhile, the DHS has defended the agents’ actions amid ongoing controversy.

Legacy and Broader Implications

The killing of Alex Pretti, a well-liked ICU nurse and outspoken critic of aggressive immigration enforcement, has elevated long-standing tensions between federal agencies and local communities in Minneapolis. Coming shortly after the similar shooting death of Renee Good, his death has raised profound questions about the balance between public safety, constitutional rights, and the use of force by federal agents operating in local jurisdictions.

As protests continue and calls for accountability grow louder, Minneapolis faces a pivotal moment in how law enforcement operations are conducted and how citizens’ rights are protected during times of heightened national policy conflict.