Minneapolis ICU Nurse Fatally Shot by Border Patrol Amid Federal Crackdown

2026-01-25 politics

Minneapolis, Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Alex Pretti, a VA nurse and lawful gun owner, was killed by federal agents Saturday. While DHS alleges armed resistance, local police confirm his clean record, fueling scrutiny of federal operations.

Identification Confirmed Amidst Conflicting Narratives

Following reports of a third enforcement-related fatality in Minneapolis this month—detailed in our previous coverage, “Minneapolis Braces for Unrest Following Third Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents” [https://wsnext.com/59f882a-Immigration-enforcement-Civil-unrest/]—federal and local authorities have now confirmed the identity of the deceased. The individual shot by a Border Patrol agent on Saturday, January 24, 2026, was Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System [1][2]. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has characterized the incident as a defensive engagement during a targeted operation, the identification of Pretti—a healthcare professional with no criminal record—has intensified scrutiny regarding the tactics employed during the ongoing federal immigration crackdown [2][3].

DHS Alleges “Massacre” Intent; Video Evidence Suggests Otherwise

A significant divergence has emerged between the official federal account and available video evidence. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that agents were conducting a targeted operation when Pretti approached them armed with a handgun [2]. The DHS alleges that Pretti violently resisted disarmament efforts and possessed two loaded magazines, suggesting an intent to “do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement” [2]. However, bystander video footage and witness accounts paint a different picture, showing Pretti directing traffic and filming agents prior to the altercation [1]. Video evidence further indicates that Pretti was sprayed with a chemical agent and tackled by agents before being shot, with footage showing an agent removing a gun from his waistband after he was pinned to the ground [1][5][7]. Border Patrol Commander-At-Large Greg Bovino maintains the shooting was justified due to Pretti’s possession of a firearm and lack of identification at the scene [5].

Local Officials Defend Pretti’s Record

In a direct challenge to the federal narrative, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed on Saturday that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry and no serious criminal history, his record limited to minor traffic violations [3][5]. Pretti, a U.S. citizen and graduate of the University of Minnesota, had been employed by the VA Health Care System and was a member of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union [3][5]. His family and colleagues describe him as a “kindhearted soul” who was deeply disturbed by the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer on January 10, just two weeks prior [1][2][4]. Pretti’s father, Michael Pretti, noted that while his son was compelled to protest the “kidnapping” of people off the street, the family had explicitly warned him weeks ago to avoid engaging with federal agents [4][5].

Political Fallout and Calls for Investigation

The killing has ignited a firestorm of political condemnation from local Democratic leaders against the federal operations. Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, noting Pretti was a graduate of a high school in his city, described the incident as the result of the “federal government’s occupation of an American city” and demanded an independent investigation [6]. Similarly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have publicly questioned the federal government’s “rush to judgment” regarding the circumstances of the shooting [7]. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley attributed the tragedy to “reckless policy” and “inflammatory rhetoric” from the administration [7]. As of Sunday, protests have escalated, with demonstrators responding to the death by throwing objects at agents, who have retaliated with tear gas and pepper spray, marking a volatile continuation of the unrest gripping the city [2].

Sources

Law Enforcement Homeland Security