Federal agents have shot and killed a resident of Minneapolis. The man has been identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen who worked as an intensive care unit nurse.
His death follows the fatal shooting of Renee Good earlier this month and has reignited fierce debate over federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
What happened
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Border Patrol officers were conducting a “targeted operation” Saturday morning to arrest an illegal immigrant wanted for violent assault when Pretti approached agents carrying a semi-automatic handgun.
DHS said officers attempted to disarm him, but claimed he resisted violently.
“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots,” the agency said.
.@CMDROpAtLargeCA on the shooting death in Minneapolis: “The agents attempted to disarm the individual, but he violently resisted. Fearing for his life, and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a border patrol agent fired defensive shots.” pic.twitter.com/2wCjqyPMFe
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 24, 2026
Multiple videos circulating online show a chaotic confrontation between federal agents, Pretti, and other protesters. Footage appears to show officers pushing one protester to the ground before Pretti moves toward them. He is then pepper-sprayed, restrained, and forced onto the road.
One officer is seen striking Pretti, while another appears to draw a firearm. Several gunshots are heard, though it remains unclear who fired first. Agents later administer medical aid, but Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene.
Conflicting accounts
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents’ actions, stating that Pretti was carrying a handgun and two loaded magazines.
“This individual came armed to interfere with a federal law enforcement operation,” Noem said, calling the incident an act of domestic terrorism.
She did not clarify whether Pretti ever pointed the weapon at officers.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the man killed was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry.
Pretti’s parents strongly dispute the federal account, accusing the Trump administration of spreading “sickening lies.”
“Alex is clearly not holding a gun when he is attacked,” his parents said in a statement. “He had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand raised while trying to protect a woman who had just been shoved to the ground.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized federal officials for what he called premature narrative-building before any investigation was completed.
“Just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning,” Walz wrote on X. “Minnesota has had it. This is sickening. The President must end this operation and pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
President Trump responded on Truth Social by posting an image of the gun Pretti was alleged to be carrying and accusing state and local leaders of “inciting insurrection.”
“Let our ICE patriots do their job!” Trump wrote.
Pretti’s family said he had no criminal record and worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital. They said he was deeply troubled by ICE operations in Minneapolis and had participated in protests.
Pretti’s death triggered large demonstrations in sub-zero temperatures, with hundreds gathering near the site of the shooting. Federal agents deployed tear gas as clashes broke out.
DHS said one officer had part of his finger bitten off during the unrest and will lose the finger.
Minnesota officials have called in the National Guard to support local police, while city and state leaders are seeking a court order to temporarily halt ICE operations.
Governor Walz urged calm, warning against further violence.
“We cannot and will not beat violence with violence,” he said.
