Two sharply conflicting narratives have emerged following the fatal shooting of Alex J. Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, during an immigration enforcement operation on January 24. While federal authorities described Pretti as a dangerous threat, his family, colleagues, and union representatives paint a very different picture—one of a compassionate nurse who was deeply troubled by aggressive immigration policies in his community.
Conflicting Accounts After the Shooting
Shortly after the incident, Homeland Security officials characterized Pretti as a “domestic terrorist,” alleging that he arrived at the scene armed and intending to cause “maximum damage” to law enforcement officers. According to federal statements, Pretti was carrying a semiautomatic handgun and extra ammunition when a Border Patrol agent fatally shot him.
However, those who knew Pretti dispute that version of events. Family members, coworkers, and bystanders say he was acting as a concerned civilian, recording officers with his phone and attempting to intervene after witnessing what appeared to be excessive force used against a woman.
A Veteran Affairs Nurse and U.S. Citizen
Pretti was a U.S. citizen, a registered nurse, and an employee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Minneapolis. He held a valid permit for his firearm and had been licensed as a registered nurse since January 2021. Colleagues described him as skilled, dedicated, and deeply committed to caring for veterans, particularly in the intensive care unit.
The American Federation of Government Employees, the union that represented Pretti, released a statement mourning his death and strongly criticizing the federal government’s portrayal of him. Union leaders emphasized that available video footage does not clearly show Pretti threatening officers with a weapon, contradicting official claims.
Video Evidence Raises Questions
Multiple bystander videos circulating online complicate the government’s account. The footage appears to show Pretti holding his phone, not a gun, as he approached immigration officers. In at least one video, he seems to step in after an agent forcefully shoves a woman. Local officials in Minneapolis have previously encouraged residents to record immigration enforcement actions, adding to questions about why Pretti’s actions escalated so quickly.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the videos he reviewed were “sickening” and expressed condolences to Pretti’s family, noting that he was a lawful concealed-carry permit holder.
Family Responds: “Heartbroken and Angry”
Late Saturday, Pretti’s family released an emotional statement expressing both grief and outrage. They described him as a kind, selfless individual who devoted his life to helping others—both his loved ones and the veterans he treated as an ICU nurse.
The family rejected claims that Pretti intended to harm law enforcement, calling those accusations “reprehensible and disgusting.” They insist that video evidence shows him holding his phone, with his other hand raised, while being pepper-sprayed as he tried to protect a woman who had been pushed by an agent.
“He wanted to make a difference in this world,” the family said, describing his final moments as an attempt to help someone else.
Troubled by Immigration Raids
According to relatives, Pretti had been deeply upset by immigration raids taking place in Minneapolis. His father, Michael Pretti, told the Associated Press that his son believed the enforcement actions were unjust and harmful, particularly toward families and children. While Pretti did participate in protests, his family said they worried his involvement could put him in danger and urged him to avoid confrontation.
Pretti’s ex-wife also told the AP that he was politically active and had participated in protests following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, though they had not been in contact in recent years.
A Dedicated Medical Professional
Before becoming a nurse, Pretti worked as a junior scientist at the University of Minnesota Medical School. At the VA, he supported medical research projects and earned respect as a capable and compassionate ICU nurse. Colleagues described him as funny, confident, and well-suited for the high-pressure environment of critical care.
Community Reaction and Calls for Investigation
Pretti’s death came just weeks after another fatal shooting involving immigration authorities in Minneapolis, intensifying scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics in the city. The mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin—where Pretti attended high school—publicly called for a full, transparent, and independent investigation, placing responsibility on federal officials overseeing the operation.
As questions continue to swirl, Who Was Alex Pretti? What We Know About the Man Killed by Border Patrol remains a story defined by starkly different perspectives: one of a perceived threat described by officials, and another of a devoted nurse and citizen whose family and community say was trying to help.
