Minneapolis Shooting of VA Intensive Care Nurse Sparks National Outcry, Protests, and Calls for Accountability

News Blend 360
Jan 25
2 min read

Minneapolis, MN — Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer during a federal immigration enforcement action on January 24, 2026, igniting widespread protests, political backlash, and a national debate over federal immigration tactics.

Pretti, a dedicated ICU nurse who cared for American veterans, was participating in or near a protest related to immigration enforcement when federal agents moved in as part of a larger operation. Although federal officials assert that Pretti approached agents with a handgun and resisted disarmament, bystander video and witness accounts reviewed from multiple sources show Pretti holding a phone and attempting to assist others before being pepper-sprayed, wrestled to the ground, and fatally shot while pinned. Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a concealed-carry permit and had no criminal record beyond minor traffic offenses.

Remembering Alex Pretti

Pretti’s family and colleagues remember him as:

Compassionate and service-driven, devoted to caring for veterans at the VA.
Deeply committed to social justice, including protests against controversial federal immigration policies following another recent fatal shooting by an ICE agent.
Nonviolent and community-oriented, with loved ones describing him as someone who “loved this country, but hated what people were doing to it.”

Pretti’s parents have publicly condemned the federal narrative, disputing claims that he brandished a weapon and urging the public to “get the truth out about our son.”

Public Reaction, Protests, and Political Responses

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Minneapolis in frigid conditions to decry the killing and demand accountability from federal authorities.
State leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, called for federal immigration agents to withdraw from the city and demanded state-level investigations.
Federal officials defended the actions of the Border Patrol officer as self-defense, though video evidence and witness testimony have raised serious questions about that claim.
Fundraising efforts supporting Pretti’s family have surged, with online campaigns raising substantial sums shortly after news of his death.

Ongoing Investigations and Broader Implications

The shooting escalates concerns over federal immigration enforcement strategies under the current administration, coming less than three weeks after another fatal encounter involving 37-year-old Renée Good.

Local and national officials are calling for:

Independent investigations into the circumstances of Pretti’s death.
Transparency and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security and federal law enforcement agencies.
Reevaluation of federal enforcement policies in civilian settings.

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