Fatal Shooting of VA Nurse Alex Pretti Ignites National Outrage Over Immigration Enforcement
The death of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, has sparked widespread protests, vigils, and calls for federal accountability following his fatal shooting by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on January 24, 2026. Pretti, remembered as a compassionate caregiver dedicated to veterans, was killed during an immigration enforcement operation amid President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on undocumented immigrants in urban areas.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on a snowy street in south Minneapolis’s Lyndale neighborhood, near Pretti’s home. Bystander videos show Pretti filming CBP agents as they detained suspects during “Operation Metro Surge,” a multi-agency effort deploying federal officers to non-border cities. Witnesses say he intervened to assist a woman who was tackled to the ground and pepper-sprayed by agents. Pretti, raising his hands while holding his phone, shouted for them to stop. Agents then shoved him, pepper-sprayed him repeatedly, and wrestled him down. Amid shouts of “gun!”—referring to Pretti’s legally owned and permitted handgun—two agents fired approximately 10 shots in under five seconds, striking him in the back, chest, and possibly neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds. ProPublica identified the shooters as Border Patrol agent Jesus “Jesse” Ochoa, 43, and CBP officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, both from Texas and temporarily assigned to Minneapolis. The agents have been placed on administrative leave, according to a U.S. official. Initial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statements claimed Pretti arrived armed to attack officers and was labeled a “domestic terrorist” by some administration figures, but videos do not show him drawing his weapon.
This was not Pretti’s first encounter with federal agents. Videos from January 13, 2026, show him in a scuffle during a protest, where he kicked out the tail light of a CBP vehicle before being tackled and restrained. No charges were filed, but the incident has fueled speculation about whether Pretti was targeted. His family attorney, Steve Schleicher, noted, “A week before Alex was gunned down—despite posing no threat—he was violently assaulted by ICE agents.”
Pretti’s family has vehemently rejected the administration’s narrative. In a statement, his parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, said, “The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.” They emphasized he had no criminal record beyond minor traffic tickets, as confirmed by the Associated Press. His sister, Micayla Pretti, added, “All he ever wanted was to help someone—anyone. Through his work at the VA caring for the sickest patients and passion to advance cancer research, he touched more lives than he probably ever realised.”
Born in Illinois in 1988, Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, attending Preble High School where he excelled in football, baseball, and track. He was a Boy Scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society, and the environment. After working as a research scientist, he pursued nursing and joined the VA’s ICU team, where colleagues praised his empathy. Dr. Aasma Shaukat, his former mentor, described him as “an absolutely warm, kind, and sweet individual” dedicated to healthcare. Veterans he cared for recalled him holding hands during crises and ensuring dignified treatment for the deceased.
nurse.org
Dedicated VA ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Dead After Clash with Border …
(Caption: Collage of Alex Pretti in his personal and professional life, highlighting his dedication as a VA nurse.)
In response to backlash, President Trump directed the top U.S. immigration official in Minneapolis, Gregory Bovino, to leave the city, signaling a potential de-escalation of aggressive tactics. Border Czar Tom Homan announced the withdrawal of 700 agents from Minnesota. The U.S. Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation, while the FBI reviews the case amid concerns over excessive force.
Vigils have swept across VA facilities nationwide, with staff at the Minneapolis VA lining hallways for a moment of silence. Tributes include candles, flowers, and signs at his home and the shooting site. Poet Amanda Gorman penned a tribute lamenting his loss. Nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association, mourned him as a hero facing increasing violence in healthcare.
france24.com
Minneapolis gathers for candlelight vigil in honour of Alex Pretti
(Caption: Candlelight vigil in Minneapolis honoring Alex Pretti, with crowds gathering around a memorial of signs and flowers.)
Pretti’s close friend, in a tearful interview, recounted a brief encounter just 10 minutes before the tragedy, where Pretti mentioned his new girlfriend—speculated to be the woman he tried to protect. While unconfirmed, it underscores his instinct to aid others.
kstp.com
Border Patrol agents involved in shooting of Alex Pretti were …
(Caption: Scene from the January 24, 2026, incident showing federal agents surrounding Pretti in Minneapolis.)
The shooting, the second fatal CBP encounter of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis that month, has reignited debates on immigration policy and police tactics. Senators like Amy Klobuchar demand transparency, confirming Pretti’s exemplary VA record. As investigations unfold, Pretti’s legacy as a healer endures in a polarized nation.
wpr.org
He was always the one to help’: A Wisconsin childhood friend …
(Caption: Growing memorial outside Alex Pretti’s home, featuring tributes and signs from the community.)
fox11online.com
Teachers, district leaders, friends remember Alex Pretti at Green …
(Caption: High school photo of Alex Pretti from Preble High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin.)
