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Federal Officer Fatally Shoots VA Nurse During Minneapolis Immigration Protest
Family members have identified the man killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital. The shooting occurred amid the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in the city.
Pretti, described by his family as a compassionate caregiver who was deeply concerned about the administration’s immigration policies, had reportedly participated in protests following the January 7 killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
“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,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “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.”
The Department of Homeland Security claims Pretti approached Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, leading to the shooting. However, bystander videos that emerged shortly after the incident show Pretti holding a phone, with no visible weapon. Family members confirmed that while Pretti owned a handgun and had a Minnesota concealed carry permit, they had never known him to carry it in public.
The incident marks the second fatal shooting involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis this year, intensifying tensions as the Trump administration continues aggressive enforcement actions across the country. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, stated on social media that he had contacted the White House regarding the incident.
Pretti’s parents learned about their son’s death when contacted by an Associated Press reporter. They struggled to get information from officials, eventually confirming his death through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” the family said in a written statement. They maintain that videos show their son was not holding a gun when tackled by federal agents, but was instead using his phone with one hand while trying to shield a woman from pepper spray with the other.
Born in Illinois, Pretti was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record beyond a few traffic tickets. He grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he participated in multiple sports and was involved in the Boy Scouts and the Green Bay Boy Choir. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2011 with a degree in biology, society and the environment, he worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a registered nurse.
Neighbors described Pretti as quiet and warmhearted. “He’s a wonderful person,” said Sue Gitar, who lived in the same condominium building as Pretti. “He has a great heart.” Though they knew he occasionally went to a gun range, they were surprised at the suggestion he might carry a pistol in public.
Beyond his work as a nurse, Pretti was an outdoors enthusiast and competitive bicycle racer who was deeply attached to his Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule, who recently passed away. His parents recalled that in their last conversation with him, he mentioned giving a $100 tip to a Latino repair worker who had fixed his garage door, mindful of the current immigration climate in Minneapolis.
“He loved this country, but he hated what people were doing to it,” said Susan Pretti, noting her son was particularly concerned about environmental regulations being rolled back under the current administration.
As federal immigration operations continue across major U.S. cities, Pretti’s death has raised further questions about tactics being employed by immigration authorities and the escalating tensions surrounding enforcement actions.
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10 Comments
It’s deeply troubling to hear that a Border Patrol officer fatally shot an ICU nurse who was protesting the administration’s immigration policies. This incident raises serious concerns about the use of force by law enforcement and the treatment of those exercising their right to free speech and assembly.
You’re absolutely right. This case highlights the need for increased accountability and transparency when it comes to law enforcement interactions with civilians, especially during protests and demonstrations.
I’m curious to learn more about the circumstances surrounding this shooting. Was the use of lethal force truly justified, or could this have been avoided? As an ICU nurse, the victim seems to have been committed to caring for others, which makes his death all the more tragic.
You raise a good point. The reports indicate the victim was participating in a protest, which raises concerns about the appropriate use of force by law enforcement in such situations.
This is a tragic situation. It’s concerning to hear that a Border Patrol officer fatally shot an ICU nurse who was protesting the administration’s immigration policies. My condolences go out to the victim’s family and loved ones.
I agree, the details around this incident raise serious questions. It’s important that a thorough and impartial investigation is conducted to determine exactly what happened.
This is a devastating loss. An ICU nurse who was concerned about the administration’s immigration policies should not have been killed by a Border Patrol officer. I hope a thorough investigation can determine exactly what happened and whether the use of force was appropriate in this situation.
I agree, this is a tragic outcome. As a healthcare worker, the victim seems to have been motivated by a desire to help others, which makes his death all the more heartbreaking. A full accounting of the incident is clearly warranted.
This is a heartbreaking loss. An ICU nurse who was deeply concerned about the administration’s immigration policies should not have been fatally shot by a Border Patrol officer. I hope a thorough investigation can shed light on what exactly transpired and whether the use of force was justified.
Agreed. As a healthcare worker, the victim seems to have been motivated by a desire to help people, which makes his death all the more tragic. A full accounting of the incident is warranted.