MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 25, 2026 (AP) — A deadly confrontation between federal immigration agents and protesters in Minneapolis on Saturday has ignited widespread controversy and protest, after a 37‑year‑old intensive care nurse was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement operation.
The victim, identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was killed in the early morning hours on Nicollet Avenue as federal officers moved into south Minneapolis to carry out immigration enforcement related to the administration’s expanded crackdowns in Democratic‑run cities. Pretti’s death marks the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in the city this month, deepening tensions between local residents, state officials and federal authorities.
According to police and federal officials, the incident occurred amid a larger protest against the aggressive immigration operations underway in Minnesota. But early video footage circulating online and accounts from witnesses present at the scene depict a markedly different sequence of events. Video shows Pretti holding a mobile phone and attempting to film agents interacting with protesters before being wrestled to the ground by multiple officers. Bystanders said he appeared to be trying to help a woman who had been shoved to the pavement.
Once on the ground, footage appears to show at least one federal agent opening fire at close range. A gun was later removed from Pretti’s waistband, though friends, family and colleagues dispute whether he presented a threat or was defending anyone. Federal authorities have described the shooting as a defensive action, saying the agent fired after Pretti “engaged” and presented a danger, though specifics remain unclear and have not been independently verified.
Family members released a statement late Saturday, describing Pretti as “a kind, compassionate person” dedicated to caring for patients and improving the lives of others. “He wanted to make a difference,” the statement read. “Alex was deeply devoted to his community, his patients and his friends. He did not deserve to die on the streets of Minneapolis while filming peaceful protests.”
Colleagues at the VA hospital said Pretti was an experienced nurse known for mentoring younger staff and treating veterans with patience and respect. Dr. Dmitri Drekonja, an infectious disease specialist who worked with Pretti, called his death “a tragic loss for his family and the healthcare community.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry and noted that his only prior contacts with law enforcement were for minor infractions. The chief said local authorities were initially denied access to the scene by federal personnel, raising further questions about cooperation between federal and local agencies.
In response to the shooting, protests quickly spread from Minneapolis to other cities, including demonstrations in San Francisco where nurses and activists rallied in support of Pretti’s family and called for accountability. “He was one of us,” said one ICU nurse at a San Francisco rally. “He was there to help, not to harm.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard late Saturday to assist local law enforcement in maintaining order as crowds continued to gather near the site of the shooting. Walz expressed condolences to the Pretti family but also criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the federal operation.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced an internal investigation into the incident, though many local officials have called for an independent, unencumbered inquiry to ensure accountability.
As of Sunday, city leaders are urging calm but acknowledge that the shooting has intensified already high emotions around immigration policy and federal enforcement actions in Minneapolis. The city remains on edge as protests and police preparations continue into the weekend.
