Alex Pretti Passed Away During ICE Protest — Another Tragedy in Minneapolis in 30+ Photos

A heartbreaking tragedy has rocked Minneapolis after a man who was known for helping others was killed in a violent encounter with federal law enforcement. The shooting has sent shockwaves through the community and intensified nationwide scrutiny of federal immigration tactics.

Alex Pretti, 37, a dedicated nurse, lost his life on the morning of January 24, 2026, when federal immigration officers opened fire during a protest in Minneapolis.

What authorities say happened and what video evidence appears to show do not match, and that conflict has left the public demanding answers and raising urgent questions about how this tragedy unfolded.

A Caregiver Driven by Conviction and Compassion

Pretti was known not for anger or confrontation, but for a deep desire to help others. Friends and colleagues described a man whose life and career were shaped by service, compassion, and an unshakable sense of responsibility toward those around him.

His largely sparse LinkedIn profile listed him as a Junior Scientist at the University of Minnesota Medical School, a role he had held since 2012. He also maintained an active credential as a registered nurse, issued in 2021 and set to expire in March 2026.

As news of his death spread, a clear picture of his character emerged from those close to him who spoke with media.

"He was a super nice, super helpful guy – looked after his patients. I'm just stunned," said Dimitri Drekonja, a researcher colleague who also serves as chief of infectious diseases at the VA Hospital and as a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.

Drekonja went on to describe Pretti as an exceptional nurse with a sharp sense of humor, someone whose presence made demanding workdays easier.

And to others who knew him, it was not surprising that he was drawn to the protests, which had been intensifying across the Twin Cities after the death of Renee Nicole Good on January 7, placing him at the center of a moment that would soon turn deadly.

A Passionate Protester with a Deep Love for the Outdoors

Pretti was no stranger to activism. His mother, Susan Pretti, shared that her son cared deeply about several causes. One of them was the environment, and she said he was especially troubled by President Donald Trump's approach to environmental protections.

"He hated that, you know, people were just trashing the land," she told reporters. "He was an outdoorsman. He took his dog everywhere he went. You know, he loved this country, but he hated what people were doing to it."

Therefore, Pretti's presence at the anti-ICE protest was not out of character. According to his ex-wife, who chose not to be named, it made sense that he would take a stand against aggressive immigration enforcement in his own city.

Though they had not spoken since divorcing two years ago, she explained that Pretti typically voted for Democratic candidates and had been part of the George Floyd protests back in 2020. At the time, he and his ex-wife lived just a few blocks from where Floyd was murdered.

While Pretti was known to raise his voice in protest and had been seen shouting at police in the past, his ex was quick to clarify that he was not the type to seek confrontation.

Still, she acknowledged that he had obtained a permit for a concealed weapon about three years ago and that he owned a semiautomatic handgun, which would soon become a crucial factor in what unfolded.

A Morning That Ended in Gunfire and National Outrage

On that cold Saturday morning in Minneapolis, a scene of confusion and confrontation turned deadly. Pretti was shot multiple times by federal immigration officers while they attempted to restrain him, launching a wave of grief and outrage that has only grown in the days since.

Even before full details emerged, the Associated Press confirmed the devastating news: Pretti had died. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, stated that he had been armed with a firearm and two magazines. An investigation, she said, was still ongoing.

Hours later, DHS released an official statement on social media. According to their post, at 9:05 a.m. CT, agents were carrying out an operation aimed at capturing a man they identified as an undocumented immigrant with a record of violent assault.

That was when, they claimed, a man approached officers holding a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. The post included a photo of the weapon. According to DHS, officers attempted to disarm him, but the man resisted.

"Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene," the agency wrote.

They also confirmed McLaughlin's earlier statement that the man had two magazines, and added that he carried no identification.

In their view, the individual had come with violent intent, describing him as someone who wanted to "damage and massacre" the ICE agents. As tensions rose, more protesters arrived, prompting law enforcement to respond with crowd control measures.

But soon, questions began to spread. Multiple videos captured before, during, and after the shooting appeared online, and what they show seems to tell a very different story.

Disturbing Videos Raise Questions About What Really Happened

Footage from the scene has shattered the official narrative, as multiple clips recorded from different angles paint a picture of chaos, confusion, and possible overreaction.

One clip, captured by someone inside their car, shows the tense moments just before the shooting. Pretti is seen standing with a few ICE agents near the middle of one of the road lanes.

Horns blare in the background. The situation intensifies as more officers arrive, and one appears to push Pretti toward the sidewalk.

A separate video obtained by CNN shows what happens moments later. ICE agents are now fully surrounding Pretti, seemingly trying to restrain him. The encounter is brief but explosive.

In the footage, someone shouts, "He's got a gun." At that point, one of the agents reaches into the scuffle and removes a weapon from Pretti's hip that appears to match the 9 mm handgun DHS later posted online.

But despite the weapon being taken, what happens next is jarring.

Roughly a second later, gunfire erupts. CNN reported that around ten shots were fired. In the clip, it is unclear whether the agent who disarmed Pretti told the others that the weapon had already been secured.

About a minute after the gunfire ends, one ICE officer asks, "Where's the gun?" Another replies, "I got the gun," seemingly confirming that it had already been removed before the fatal shots were fired.

Additional footage obtained by The New York Times adds even more detail. In one clip, bystanders are seen in the middle of the street speaking with an agent near a black SUV. Pretti is visible, filming with his phone as he approaches the scene. Someone appears to have already been detained.

Moments later, one officer, apparently using pepper spray, forces two people toward the opposite snowy sidewalk and into a nearby white SUV. Pretti steps in, attempting to shield the civilians by positioning himself between them and the officers.

The same officer then sprays Pretti, who tries to protect himself before again attempting to assist the people caught in the altercation. Another agent grabs Pretti and yanks him away from the group. Several others quickly close in.

Roughly seven agents can be seen wrestling with Pretti. One appears to be using pepper spray. An eighth officer steps forward. At that point, one agent takes Pretti's gun and moves a few steps away.

Suddenly, one of the remaining agents draws a weapon from his belt, aims, and fires into Pretti's back. Several other shots follow. Within seconds, Pretti is lifeless on the frozen ground.

Officials Challenge the Federal Narrative

While DHS has maintained that the shots fired were "defensive," top Minnesota officials have pushed back hard. Governor Tim Walz directly accused federal agents of inventing details and releasing staged photos to justify the killing.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed that Pretti had no criminal record, no history of violence, and was a law-abiding citizen. Under Minnesota law, he had a valid permit to carry a firearm in public.

Additionally, several state and local leaders have accused DHS of obstructing the investigation into Pretti's death, just as they did following the death of Good. Officials say the agency has withheld access to evidence and failed to share crucial details about what happened.

And people remain angry. By Sunday afternoon, nearly 1,000 people had gathered at the Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. They called for justice not only for Good and Pretti, but for an end to the presence of ICE in their city.