Incident

 

The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, has become a flashpoint in the growing national tension over the second Trump administration's "Operation Metro Surge." Pretti was killed on Saturday, January 24, 2026, marking the second civilian death at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis this month alone.

​The Incident

​The shooting occurred around 9:00 AM at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Pretti, who worked at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and was known by colleagues as a compassionate advocate for veterans, was reportedly filming federal agents during an immigration enforcement action.

​Bystander videos have provided a narrative that sharply contrasts with official statements. Footage shows:

• ​De-escalation attempt: Pretti appearing to step in to assist a legal observer who had been shoved by a federal agent.
• ​Physical confrontation: Agents pepper-spraying Pretti and wrestling him to the ground.
• ​The shooting: At least six agents surrounding Pretti while he was pinned. In one video, an agent is seen pulling a firearm from Pretti's waistband (he was a licensed gun owner with a permit to carry). Less than a second after the gun was removed from his person, a volley of approximately 10 shots was fired into him while he was on the ground.

​Administration vs. Evidence

​The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Border Patrol officials, including Commander Gregory Bovino, have characterized the shooting as "defensive." They claim Pretti "approached" agents with a 9mm handgun and "violently resisted" efforts to disarm him.

​However, use-of-force experts and local officials have pointed out significant discrepancies:

• ​Video Evidence: Footage shows Pretti holding only a cell phone in his right hand and his left hand empty moments before being tackled.
• ​Disarmament: The videos appear to show that federal agents had already successfully stripped Pretti of his holstered weapon before the lethal shots were fired.
• ​The "Terrorist" Label: Top administration officials have used platforms like Truth Social to label Pretti a "domestic terrorist" and an "assassin," a narrative his family and the Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses have called "reprehensible lies."

​Context of the Crackdown

​Minneapolis has become a central battleground for the administration's aggressive immigration tactics. Pretti’s death follows the January 7 killing of Renée Good, another 37-year-old U.S. citizen who was shot by federal agents while in her vehicle.

​The deployment of approximately 3,000 federal agents to the city has led to a direct conflict with local leadership. Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have described the federal presence as an "occupation," while the administration blames "Sanctuary City" policies for the "chaos" resulting in these deaths.