Alex Pretti | Family members have identified the man killed during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen who worked as an intensive care nurse. The fatal shooting occurred on Saturday during a large-scale immigration raid in the city.
Federal account of the incident
The Department of Homeland Security described the shooting as an act of self-defence, saying a Border Patrol agent fired after a man allegedly approached officers with a handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was not present to protest peacefully. Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino claimed he intended to cause mass harm, while Trump deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller referred to him as a “would-be assassin”.
Witness statements and video footage
Witnesses and members of Pretti’s family have disputed the official version of events. Video footage verified by Reuters appears to show Pretti holding a mobile phone rather than a gun as he attempted to assist protesters who had been pushed to the ground by federal agents.
In the footage, Pretti is seen filming as an agent shoves one woman and pushes another to the ground. He steps between the agent and the women and raises his arm as he is pepper-sprayed.
Several agents then restrain him, forcing him onto his hands and knees. During the struggle, a warning about a gun can be heard. Video appears to show an agent removing a firearm from Pretti and stepping away.
Moments later, an officer fires multiple shots into Pretti’s back. Additional gunfire follows shortly after. Agents initially move away from his body before some appear to offer medical assistance while others keep bystanders back.
Two witnesses later filed sworn statements with the US District Court of Minnesota stating that Pretti did not brandish a gun. One witness, a doctor, said Pretti sustained at least three gunshot wounds to his back.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later said Pretti was a lawful gun owner and had no criminal record other than traffic violations.
Who was Alex Pretti?
Pretti’s family described him as a compassionate healthcare worker who was deeply troubled by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
At the time of his death, Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis. His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, said he was devoted to caring for American veterans.
Michael Pretti told the Associated Press that his son had been upset by immigration raids in Minneapolis and across the United States and had taken part in protests against the operations.
According to the family, Pretti studied at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 2011 with a degree in biology, society and the environment. He later worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a registered nurse.
As of Saturday evening, the family said they had not been contacted by any federal law enforcement agency regarding their son’s death.
Reactions and calls for investigation
In a statement, Pretti’s family strongly rejected claims made by federal officials, calling them false and offensive. They said video footage shows their son holding a phone and attempting to shield a woman being pepper-sprayed.
The federal employees’ labour union AFGE said it was deeply affected by the tragedy, while its president, Everett Kelley, said Pretti dedicated his career to serving American veterans.
The American Nurses Association said it was disturbed by the killing and called for a full investigation. Pretti’s colleague, Dr Dmitri Drekonja, said it was enraging to hear how officials were portraying the victim.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the killing as part of a campaign of organised brutality, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged the administration to end the immigration crackdown in the city.
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