SHE BROKE HER SILENCE — AND WHAT SHE REVEALED COULD SHATTER EVERYTHING WE’VE BEEN TOLD

By Grok News Staff Minneapolis, MN – February 11, 2026

In a stunning development that has reignited national outrage over federal law enforcement tactics, a key witness to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti has come forward with testimony that directly contradicts the official narrative provided by the Trump administration. Stella Carlson, a children’s entertainer who captured the incident on video, broke her silence in sworn statements and media interviews, revealing that the 37-year-old ICU nurse was not advancing aggressively toward agents but was instead attempting to aid a woman shoved to the ground during a chaotic ICE operation.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a dedicated nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was killed on January 24, 2026, during a federal immigration enforcement action in the city’s Little Earth neighborhood. Initial reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed Pretti approached Border Patrol agents in a threatening manner, allegedly brandishing a weapon, prompting officers to fire in self-defense. However, multiple eyewitness accounts and verified videos now paint a vastly different picture, one of heroism amid pandemonium rather than hostility.

workingnurse.com

Thoughts on the Shooting Death of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti – Working Nurse

Pretti, described by colleagues as a compassionate caregiver who saved countless lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, was not a protester but a bystander drawn into the fray. According to court filings in a lawsuit demanding transparency from federal authorities, Carlson was standing just five feet away when the events unfolded. She testified that agents had pushed a woman—later identified as a local resident—to the snowy sidewalk during an arrest attempt. Pretti, witnessing the shove, moved toward her “to help her up and shield her” as the situation escalated. “He wasn’t threatening anyone. He had no gun in his hands,” Carlson stated in her affidavit, adding that Pretti appeared to be embracing the woman protectively when agents tackled him.

Video evidence, analyzed by outlets like NBC News and The New York Times, supports this account. At least four bystander recordings show Pretti reaching out to the fallen woman before being shoved himself. Moments later, several agents piled on top of him on the ground, and gunshots rang out—fired at close range while Pretti was subdued. One clip, lasting about 2 minutes and 30 seconds, captures the chaos clearly: no visible weapon in Pretti’s possession, and his movements non-aggressive. These videos, verified for authenticity, have been submitted as part of legal demands for body camera footage and unredacted reports from DHS.

nytimes.com

Timeline: How the Shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti Unfolded – The New York Times

Carlson’s decision to speak out came after initial fears for her safety. In her testimony, she revealed that federal agents were reportedly “looking for her” following the shooting, and she avoided returning home, citing arrests of other witnesses. During a CNN interview with Anderson Cooper, Carlson, wearing a striped scarf, described the aftermath: “After they shot him, they moved his body like they were counting wounds. I knew he was gone.” Her account, corroborated by a nearby physician who was blocked from providing aid, has fueled calls for an independent investigation.

motherjones.com

True Heroism and Bearing Witness: the Woman Who Documented the Killing of Alex Pretti – Mother Jones

The incident has deepened divides between state and federal officials. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the shooting as “unjustified,” while Trump administration spokespeople maintain the agents acted appropriately amid a “violent confrontation.” Pretti’s death occurred during heightened ICE operations in sanctuary cities like Minneapolis, part of a broader crackdown on immigration.

Reactions have been swift and emotional. On January 28, Pretti’s colleagues at the VA hospital held a moment of silence in the hallways, heads bowed in scrubs, honoring the man who “chose a career to save others.” Protests erupted across the city, with nurses and activists waving signs like “Will Crush ICE for Our Patients” and “ICE Not Welcome Here,” demanding accountability and the abolition of such federal tactics.

kctv5.com

Pretti’s colleagues hold moment of silence at Minneapolis VA hospital

This case raises profound questions about transparency and use of force. If Pretti was indeed trying to protect someone, why was lethal force employed? Legal experts suggest the new evidence could lead to civil rights lawsuits or even criminal charges against the agents involved. As one anonymous source close to the investigation told reporters, “This isn’t just about one death—it’s about what else has been hidden in the shadows of these operations.”

19thnews.org

Nurses are demanding justice in Alex Pretti’s death

Pretti’s family, through their attorney, has called for justice, emphasizing his role as a healer: “Alex lived to help others; he died doing the same.” As the lawsuit progresses, with more witnesses expected to testify, the nation watches closely. What began as a routine enforcement action has evolved into a symbol of distrust in federal authority, potentially shattering the official story and prompting broader reforms.