Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse from Minneapolis, was tragically shot and killed by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation on the city’s south side last Saturday. Pretti, who worked at the Veterans Affairs hospital, was a U.S. citizen known for his dedication to caring for others.
The shooting, marking the second recent fatal encounter involving federal agents in Minneapolis, has ignited protests and intensified the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement methods. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was transported to a hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but later succumbed to his injuries.
Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, have voiced their deep sorrow and frustration, describing their son as a compassionate individual who spent his life helping others. They portrayed his final moments as an act of bravery, contradicting the federal account of the event.
“We are devastated and also very angry,” the parents said. “Alex was a kind soul who cared deeply for his family, friends, and the veterans he served as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. He wanted to make a positive impact in the world, but sadly, he won’t be here to see it.”
They strongly refuted claims that their son was armed during the incident, stating instead that he was unarmed and trying to shield a woman at the time of the shooting. “We don’t use the word ‘hero’ lightly, but Alex’s last thought and action were to protect someone else,” they explained. “The falsehoods spread by the administration are appalling. Alex wasn’t holding a gun; he had a phone in one hand and his other hand raised while trying to protect the woman ICE agents pushed down, all while being pepper-sprayed.”
The family urged the public and media to seek out the truth about their son’s character and actions, emphasizing, “He was a good man.”
In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security defended its agents, stating that a Border Patrol officer fired in self-defense after Pretti allegedly approached with a handgun. However, this claim is challenged by bystander videos and local officials, which show Pretti holding only a cellphone before the shooting.
This tragic event has escalated tensions in Minneapolis, a city already facing criticism and protests over federal immigration enforcement practices.
