Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents on January 24, 2026, amid heightened tensions from federal immigration operations in the city. The incident sparked protests, with reports of an agent mocking demonstrators.
Incident Details
At around 9 a.m. near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, agents conducting a targeted operation on an undocumented immigrant for assault encountered Pretti, a U.S. citizen with no criminal record but a valid gun permit. DHS stated he approached armed with a 9mm handgun and two magazines, violently resisting disarmament, prompting defensive shots; video showed agents spraying and pinning him beforehand. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti received first aid and died at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Protester Response
Crowds gathered, yelling profanities and calling agents “cowards”; one officer reportedly replied “boo hoo” while leaving. Protesters blocked streets with dumpsters, chanting “ICE out now,” leading to detentions, baton use, and flash bangs by ICE and Border Patrol. This marked the third federal shooting in Minneapolis in 17 days, fueling outrage.​
Official Reactions
Mayor Jacob Frey urged President Trump to withdraw federal forces, questioning the operations’ toll on residents and decrying an “invasion” prioritizing politics over safety. Gov. Tim Walz demanded pulling “violent, untrained officers,” citing a recent peaceful protest of 15,000. Pretti’s union mourned the “devastating” loss of a dedicated veterans’ caregiver.
