Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti: Federal Agents Fire 10 Rounds in Under 5 Seconds Amid Minneapolis Protests

Minneapolis, MN — Chaos erupted on the streets of Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, when United States Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. The incident, captured in multiple bystander videos, has ignited widespread outrage, protests, and demands for accountability amid the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement operations in the city.

Pretti, a U.S. citizen with no prior criminal record beyond minor traffic violations, held a valid Minnesota permit to carry a concealed firearm. Witnesses and video evidence indicate he was peacefully filming federal agents and assisting civilians during a confrontation when the encounter escalated rapidly.

The incident unfolded around 9 a.m. near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood. Pretti was recording agents detaining individuals as part of immigration raids when one officer pushed a civilian toward him. Pretti appeared to intervene to help the person up, still holding his phone in one hand. Agents then pepper-sprayed him and pulled him into the street, where multiple officers pinned him to the ground. Videos show one agent striking Pretti while another emerged from the scuffle holding a handgun that matched the description of Pretti’s weapon.

Forensic audio analysis of five verified videos confirms that 10 shots were fired in less than five seconds. Pretti was declared dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, including to his back and upper chest. Bystander footage and frame-by-frame reviews by outlets including The New York Times, ABC News, and The Washington Post show Pretti was disarmed before the shooting began, contradicting initial Department of Homeland Security claims that he “approached officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun” intent on attacking them.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents, describing the shooting as “defensive” after Pretti allegedly resisted violently. However, eyewitness sworn testimonies and expert analyses describe Pretti as non-resistant, focused on aiding others rather than threatening officers. One agent reportedly removed Pretti’s gun from his waistband seconds before the fusillade began, with additional shots fired as he lay motionless.

In the immediate aftermath, agents reportedly delayed medical aid. A nearby doctor attempting to render assistance was initially blocked and asked for proof of medical credentials. Protesters gathered at the scene within minutes, with crowds swelling to over 1,000 the following day at Government Plaza, demanding justice and an end to federal operations in Minneapolis. This was the third shooting involving federal agents in the city in recent weeks, following the fatal killing of Renée Nicole Good on January 7.

The American Federation of Government Employees, Pretti’s union, mourned him as a dedicated caregiver to veterans. His parents released a statement condemning “sickening lies” from officials and calling for the truth. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local police expressed frustration over limited cooperation from DHS, with state authorities impeded in their investigation.

A federal judge quickly issued an order blocking the destruction or alteration of evidence, including body-camera footage, which DHS has confirmed exists but has not yet released publicly. Experts in use-of-force policies have questioned the justification for lethal force, noting Pretti was restrained and disarmed at the time shots were fired.

The incident has fueled national debate over immigration enforcement tactics, federal overreach, and accountability for law enforcement. Protests continue, with calls for independent investigations, prosecutions, and reforms to prevent similar tragedies. As one former DHS official noted, “Nothing in the video evidence supports the intent-to-kill narrative pushed by authorities.”

This tragic event underscores deep tensions between federal operations and local communities in an era of heightened immigration crackdowns.