Alex Pretti: The ICU Nurse Whose Death in Minneapolis Stirred a Nation

On the morning of January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive care nurse from Minneapolis, was shot and killed by federal Border Patrol agents during a sprawling immigration enforcement action in the city. Pretti was not a criminal, but a healthcare professional — a man dedicated to caring for others. His death has sent shockwaves through Minneapolis and across the United States, igniting protests, intense debate over federal enforcement tactics, and calls for accountability. �

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Pretti’s story is one of service, tragedy, and a community’s grief. To understand who he was — and why his death has resonated so deeply — we must look at the life he lived both inside and outside the hospital walls.

A Life of Care: From Research to the ICU

Born and raised in the Midwest, Alex Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where friends and family remember him as curious, compassionate, and deeply engaged with the world around him. After high school, he studied at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society, and the environment. �

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Pretti began his professional life in research science, working as a junior scientist and helping to enroll veterans in medical studies. But over time, he felt pulled toward direct patient care. After returning to school and completing nursing education, he became a registered nurse in 2021. �

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At the time of his death, Pretti was working in the Intensive Care Unit at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where he cared for sick and injured veterans. Colleagues described him as warm, dedicated, and deeply empathetic — the kind of nurse who listened attentively to patients and treated each person with dignity and respect. �

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A mentor who worked with Pretti early in his career said he was “an absolutely warm, kind, and sweet person,” the sort of professional whose presence alone brought comfort to families during difficult hospital stays. �

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More Than a Nurse: Community and Character

Outside the hospital, Pretti was known as an avid outdoorsman. He loved biking, hiking, and exploring nature — a passion that brought him peace beyond the demanding environment of the ICU. �

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Neighbors remembered him as quiet but kind, willing to help others even in small daily routines. One described him as someone who would jump in to help if there was concern over a gas leak in the building or other neighborhood worry — a reflection of the instinctive care he carried with him beyond his profession. �

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Pretti also cared deeply about social justice and public affairs. He had participated in protests earlier in January after another Minneapolis resident, Renée Good, was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent — a separate incident that had already stirred debate and unease in the city. �

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Pretti’s family said he was upset by the direction of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, and by the aggressive tactics employed by federal agents. They stressed that he cared about others’ rights, dignity, and safety — motivations that informed his protest participation. �

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The Fatal Confrontation

On January 24, a federal operation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol agents was underway in south Minneapolis as part of a larger enforcement initiative known as Operation Metro Surge. The move — aimed at detaining an undocumented individual accused of violent assault — had attracted significant criticism from local leaders and residents for its intensity and scale. �

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According to federal authorities, Pretti “approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9mm handgun and resisted,” prompting agents to fire. �

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But independent eyewitness accounts, multiple bystander videos, and reporting by major news organizations tell a different story. Footage circulating online shows Pretti holding only a mobile phone seconds before the shooting, calmly observing the situation and attempting to assist others, including a woman who had been pushed and pepper‑sprayed by agents. �

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In the clips, Pretti moves between the agents and civilians — not in aggression, but in what witnesses describe as an effort to protect and de‑escalate. Moments later, he is tackled, restrained, and then shot — reportedly multiple times — while already subdued. �

The Guardian

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit and had no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations, casting further doubt on the federal portrayal of events. �

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Aftermath: Mourning and Unrest

The shooting of Alex Pretti has not only devastated his family and friends — it has sparked public outcry, protests, and renewed scrutiny of federal enforcement strategies in Minneapolis. Hundreds of nurses, healthcare workers, veterans, and community members gathered in vigils to honor Pretti’s memory and to demand answers. �

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Local leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have condemned the federal operation and called for the removal of certain agents and a halt to aggressive enforcement tactics. �

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Meanwhile, protests have intensified, with demonstrators confronting law enforcement and demanding justice and transparency. The incident followed multiple clashes between activists and federal agents, including earlier fatalities, and has amplified tensions between federal and local authorities. �

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Calls for independent investigations — by state officials, civil rights groups, and national legislators — are growing. Questions linger about the handling of evidence, the official narrative, and whether Pretti’s actions were mischaracterized by federal statements. �

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Legacy of a Life Committed to Others

In the outpouring of grief and anger, one theme remains constant: Alex Pretti was first and foremost a caregiver — a nurse whose life was defined by service to others. His colleagues remember him for his clinical skills, his calm presence in moments of crisis, and his unwavering focus on patient dignity. �

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His family remembers him as a loving son, a friend, and someone who cared passionately about justice. They reject narratives that paint him as a threat and urge the public to remember the truth about his life — not just the circumstances of his death. �

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As the investigation continues and public debate unfolds, the story of Alex Pretti remains a sobering reminder of the risks individuals face when national tensions collide with everyday lives — and of the human cost behind headlines and politics.