SHOCKING TURN: What Alex Pretti Did Weeks Before His Death Is Now Forcing Investigators to Re-Examine Everything

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

New revelations about the final weeks of ICU nurse Alex Pretti’s life are prompting federal investigators to revisit the circumstances surrounding his fatal shooting by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on January 24, 2026. Sources close to the ongoing Department of Justice civil rights probe indicate that Pretti’s documented involvement in monitoring federal immigration enforcement activities—including prior confrontations and digital recordings—has added critical context to his actions on the day he died.

theguardian.com

A helper and a patriot: Alex Pretti’s family and friends on the life of nurse killed by federal agents | Minnesota ICE shootings | The Guardian

Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, had been deeply disturbed by escalating ICE operations in his city. Family members and colleagues describe how, in the weeks leading up to his death, he quietly reduced his hospital shifts—not quitting outright, but stepping back to observe and document what he saw as aggressive federal tactics targeting immigrant communities and even U.S. citizens. “He wasn’t reckless,” his father, Michael Pretti, told reporters. “Alex was thoughtful, watching, trying to bear witness without escalating things himself.”

This shift in focus stemmed from the January 7 shooting of Renee Nicole Good, another Minneapolis resident killed by federal agents during similar enforcement actions. Pretti, known for his compassion toward patients—including veterans during the pandemic—began attending protests as a “First Amendment witness,” using his phone to record interactions. Union representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees noted he remained employed and in good standing at the VA, countering false online claims of misconduct or termination.

A pivotal piece of emerging evidence involves a confrontation 11 days before his death, on January 13. Newly surfaced videos show Pretti being tackled by federal agents during a protest. In the footage, he kicks out a vehicle tail light amid chaos but never brandishes his legally permitted concealed handgun, which remained visible in his waistband without being touched. Agents forcefully brought him to the ground, an incident his family lawyer described as a “violent assault” despite no threat posed. This prior clash, now under scrutiny, suggests a pattern of escalating tensions.

nytimes.com

Videos Show Alex Pretti in Earlier Altercation With Federal Agents

Investigators are also examining digital material recovered from Pretti’s phone. Time-stamped videos and interactions captured in the weeks prior reportedly document federal activities in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Combined with bystander footage from the January 24 scene—where Pretti was filming agents, directing traffic, and moving to aid a woman shoved to the ground—these files are helping reconstruct events. Multiple verified videos show Pretti holding only his cellphone, intervening protectively after an agent used pepper spray, before being tackled, disarmed (his gun removed by one officer), and then shot multiple times—up to 10 rounds in under five seconds, per forensic audio analysis.

The Department of Justice opened a federal civil rights investigation shortly after the incident, with the FBI now leading. Two agents involved were placed on administrative leave. DHS initially claimed Pretti posed a lethal threat, labeling him a potential “domestic terrorist,” but synchronized eyewitness videos contradict this, showing him unarmed and subdued when shots were fired. A Minneapolis pediatrician who witnessed the aftermath swore in a court filing that agents failed to check for a pulse or provide aid, instead appearing to count wounds.

npr.org

Videos contradict federal account of fatal Minneapolis shooting : NPR

Pretti’s actions in those final weeks—documenting as a concerned citizen and healer—have reframed the narrative. National Nurses United called for a “week of action” in his honor, demanding ICE abolition amid public health concerns. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz praised Pretti as a dedicated caregiver and outdoor enthusiast who lived fully in his state, including as a witness to federal overreach.

As the probe deepens, questions mount: Did prior encounters influence the lethal response? What do Pretti’s recovered videos reveal about broader enforcement patterns? With protests continuing and calls for transparency growing, this case—sparked by a nurse who cared deeply—continues to challenge official accounts and demand accountability.

npr.org