A federal Border Patrol agent shot and killed a 37-year-old Minneapolis man on Saturday morning during a federal immigration enforcement operation, intensifying tensions in the city amid an ongoing crackdown that has sparked widespread protests.
The victim was identified by family members and city officials as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a longtime Minneapolis resident and an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Pretti was reportedly unarmed and known in his community for his work caring for veterans and his commitment to helping others.
What Happened in Minneapolis
At around 9:05 a.m. local time on January 24, U.S. Border Patrol agents — part of a larger deployment of federal immigration officers across Minnesota — encountered Pretti near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis. A large contingent of federal agents in the area were engaged in immigration enforcement activity at the time.
Video footage shared widely online shows agents wrestling Pretti to the ground and, shortly afterward, several shots being fired. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims the agent opened fire after Pretti “approached” officers with a handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him. Video evidence and witness accounts, however, show Pretti holding a phone just prior to the shooting and attempting to assist other bystanders, not brandishing a firearm.
Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene. Federal authorities have taken lead on the investigation, limiting state law enforcement access to the crime scene, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Minnesota officials.
Who Was Alex Jeffrey Pretti?
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident known by family and friends as a quiet, compassionate person who worked as an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, caring for critically ill patients. Those close to him described him as dedicated to his profession and deeply committed to helping others, often working long, demanding shifts and putting patients’ needs first. His death during a federal law-enforcement operation in south Minneapolis shocked the local community, where he was seen as an ordinary working professional with strong ties to the city. In the days following the shooting, tributes and vigils highlighted his role as a caregiver and the sense of loss felt by his family, colleagues, and neighbors.
Timeline of Minneapolis ICE Shooting
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 7, 2026 | ICE agent fatally shoots Renée Good in Minneapolis during immigration enforcement. |
| Jan 14–15, 2026 | Other federal enforcement operations in Minneapolis include non-fatal shooting of a Venezuelan man. |
| Jan 24, 2026 — 9:05 a.m. CST | Border Patrol agent fatally shoots Alex Jeffrey Pretti at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue during federal enforcement operation amid protests. |
| Jan 24, 2026 — Aftermath | Protests grow in Minneapolis; National Guard and crowd control measures deployed. |
| Jan 24–25, 2026 | Local officials call for answers; federal agents restrict state access to scene. |
Key People & Institutions Involved in Minneapolis ICE Shooting
Individuals
- Alex Jeffrey Pretti — 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and ICU nurse killed by federal agent.
- Renée Nicole Good — Another Minneapolis resident killed by an ICE agent earlier in January.
- Governor Tim Walz — Democratic governor of Minnesota, critic of federal enforcement.
- Mayor Jacob Frey — Minneapolis mayor, calling for federal accountability.
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar — Minnesota Senator urging ICE withdrawal.
- DHS Officials — Defending federal law enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
Agencies
- U.S. Border Patrol — Federal agency involved in the shooting.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — Part of broader enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — Oversees federal immigration agents and released official statements.
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) — State investigative agency denied access to shooting scene.
Public Reaction and Protests
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the site of the fatal shooting on Nicollet Avenue, clashing with federal agents and chants calling for accountability. Law enforcement used tear gas and chemical agents to disperse crowds as tensions mounted in sub-freezing conditions.
The shooting comes less than three weeks after another federal agent killed Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, on January 7 during a separate immigration enforcement action. That incident had already sparked sustained protests and outrage over federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities.
Officials Response to Minneapolis ICE Shooting
- Governor Tim Walz (D-Minn.) condemned the shooting and called for federal agents to leave Minnesota, saying the state has “had it” with the ongoing operations.
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also called for restraint and accountability from federal authorities.
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) urged ICE to pull out of Minnesota entirely following the killing.
Federal officials maintain that agents acted in self-defense and are conducting their own internal review of the shooting.
Simple Explanation: What Happened in Minnesota Today
A federal immigration enforcement agent shot and killed a Minneapolis man, identified as 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, during a federal operation on Saturday. Federal authorities say the agent fired because Pretti allegedly approached them with a gun, but video and witness accounts suggest he may have been trying to help others and was holding a phone. The incident has sparked large protests in Minneapolis, with local leaders and residents demanding answers and calling for federal agents to leave the city.