A 37-year-old ICU nurse was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer during what federal officials described as a targeted operation in Minneapolis on January 24, sparking controversy over conflicting accounts of the incident.
Parents Recall Final Conversations
Alex Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, spoke with their son just days before his death, discussing routine home repairs to his garage door. They revealed Alex gave a $100 tip to the Latino repairman amid ongoing tensions in Minneapolis. The family had previously advised Alex about planned protests, with his father telling him to be cautious and not engage if he chose to participate in demonstrations.
🚨This is so POWERFUL!
Michael and Susan, the parents of Alex Pretti, had one request from Gov. Tim Walz:
"The world knows how he died; he died at the hands of ICE agents on the streets of Minneapolis. They want us to say how he lived."
"Don't let them forget Alex's story." 💔 pic.twitter.com/2902O2DaOE
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) January 25, 2026
Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed Pretti approached officers while armed with a handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him. However, witness videos contradict these claims, showing Pretti holding a phone rather than a weapon. Six witnesses submitted affidavits describing the incident, with one witness stating Pretti had his hands above his head when pepper-sprayed and was attempting to help a woman who had been shoved to the ground.
Medical Response and Family Statement
A licensed pediatrician who witnessed the shooting attempted to provide medical care but was required to show credentials and submit to a pat-down before being allowed to assess Pretti. The witness reported that ICE agents did not check for a pulse or administer CPR. Pretti’s family confirmed his death through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner and released a statement calling him a kindhearted soul while rejecting the federal agency’s account as sickening lies. They expressed both heartbreak and anger over the loss of someone who wanted to make a positive difference in the world.