Federal Agents (ICE) Fatally Shoot ICU Nurse in Minneapolis
Federal Agents (ICE) Fatally Shoot ICU Nurse in Minneapolis
The Twin Cities are in crisis after federal agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old VA hospital nurse, on January 24, 2026.
The shooting occurred during a federal immigration operation at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was reportedly observing the enforcement actions when the fatal encounter began.
DHS officials claim Pretti approached agents with a 9 mm handgun and “violently resisted,” forcing them to fire in self-defense.
However, verified bystander videos tell a different story, showing Pretti holding only a cell phone as he was pepper-sprayed and tackled. This discrepancy has fueled immediate public outrage and calls for transparency.
Witnesses maintain that Pretti was filming the agents and attempting to help a woman who had been knocked down. While Pretti was a licensed gun owner, video suggests his weapon remained holstered until agents removed it during the scuffle. Moments later, while Pretti was pinned to the sidewalk, the fatal shots were fired.
Governor Tim Walz has condemned the incident as “organized brutality,” demanding the immediate withdrawal of federal forces from Minnesota. Simultaneously, the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has sued DHS, alleging that federal agents blocked state investigators from the scene and are currently withholding or destroying critical evidence.
This marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis this month, following the death of Renee Nicole Good on January 7.
The recurring violence has turned the city into a national flashpoint, with hundreds of protesters braving sub-zero temperatures to confront federal forces who have deployed tear gas and flash-bangs.
As tensions peak, Attorney General Keith Ellison is set to argue in court this Monday for an injunction to halt the federal surge. With the city divided and local leaders at odds with the White House, the legal battle over federal authority and civil rights is just beginning.
