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Alex Pretti? The ICU Nurse Killed by Immigration Agents in Minnesota
Jan
Alex Pretti? The ICU Nurse Killed by Immigration Agents in Minnesota
An ICU nurse, a U.S. citizen, and a community advocate whose killing by federal immigration agents has become a rallying cry for accountability and justice.
Who Alex Pretti Was Beyond the Headlines
The fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis has ignited national outrage, renewed protests, and raised urgent questions about the use of force during immigration operations in the United States. Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, and Veterans Affairs employee, was killed on Saturday amid ongoing demonstrations in a city already struggling with grief and unrest.
To many who knew him, Alex Pretti was not a statistic or a headline. He was a caregiver, a neighbor, and someone who believed deeply in protecting others.
A Life Rooted in Care and Public Service
Born in Illinois and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Pretti grew up active and engaged. He attended Preble High School, where he played football and baseball, ran track, participated in Boy Scouts, and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir. Friends and family say these early experiences helped shape his strong sense of discipline, teamwork, and service.
After graduating high school, Pretti attended the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology, society, and the environment in 2011. He initially worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a registered nurse-choosing a career that placed him on the front lines of care.
At the time of his death, Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, caring for veterans through the Veterans Health Administration. Public records show he earned $90,783 in 2023. Colleagues described him as dedicated, compassionate, and deeply respected.
“I worked with him daily for years at the VA hospital,” said Ruth Anway, a Minneapolis-based nurse. “He was a really good guy. He definitely did not deserve to get killed.”
Life Outside the Hospital
Outside of work, Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who loved adventure. He was a competitive bicycle racer and took pride in caring for his Audi. He was also deeply bonded to his dog, Joule, a Catahoula Leopard dog who died about a year before Pretti’s death. Family members said the loss affected him deeply and left a lasting emotional impact.
Why He Protested: Standing Against Immigration Violence
Pretti became increasingly active in protests following the January 7 killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman shot when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fired into her vehicle. According to his father, Michael Pretti, his son was disturbed by what he saw happening in Minneapolis and across the country.
“He thought it was terrible-kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street,” his father told the Associated Press. “He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong.”
Though supportive of his activism, his parents urged him to be cautious. “Go ahead and protest,” Michael Pretti said, “but do not engage.”
A Lawful Citizen, Not a Criminal
Court records show Pretti had no criminal history beyond minor traffic tickets. Family members confirmed that he legally owned a handgun and held a Minnesota permit to carry a concealed firearm, though they said they had never known him to carry it.
His ex-wife, who later requested anonymity, described him as politically progressive and someone who had participated in protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd. While he could be verbally confrontational at protests, she said he was never physically violent.
Conflicting Narratives and a Family’s Rejection of Official Claims
After the shooting, senior Trump administration officials described Pretti as a “domestic terrorist.” His family strongly rejected that characterization, calling it “reprehensible and disgusting.”
They say video footage shows Pretti was not holding a gun when agents tackled him. Instead, they claim he was holding his phone and using his other arm to shield a woman who was being pepper-sprayed.
A Final Act of Protection and Growing Calls for Accountability
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she was “enraged and heartbroken,” noting that Pretti’s final moments were spent trying to protect others. Minnesota officials have since filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the shooting, stating that no federal agency is above the law.
The Department of Homeland Security said officers fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and resisted attempts to disarm him. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed police believe Pretti was a lawful gun owner.
Why Justice for Alex Pretti Matters
Pretti’s death occurred amid daily protests across the Twin Cities and just over a mile from where Renee Good was killed weeks earlier. Together, the incidents have intensified public anger and deepened calls for transparency, accountability, and reform.
For many, Alex Pretti is remembered not as a threat, but as a nurse, a protector, and a man whose life was dedicated to serving others. His death has become a symbol of a broader struggle-one that questions how power is exercised, whose lives are protected, and who is held accountable when state violence occurs.
