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Introduction
The nation has been shaken by the fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care unit (ICU) nurse Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026, an incident that has ignited grief, outrage, and renewed debate over federal law enforcement tactics. Pretti, a dedicated nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System known for his compassion and service to veterans, was killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation that has already drawn widespread protests and political scrutiny. Video footage of the incident shows Pretti, at times holding only a cellphone, recording agents and allegedly attempting to help a pepper-sprayed bystander when several federal officers confronted him, used chemical spray, and ultimately fired multiple shots, striking him fatally. While the Department of Homeland Security claims Pretti approached agents with a handgun and resisted disarmament, family members, co-workers, and bystander videos dispute that narrative and assert that he posed no clear threat at the time of the shooting. Pretti’s family has vehemently rejected official accounts, describing the government’s statements as misleading and emphasizing his clean criminal record, lawful gun ownership, and commitment to peaceful protest. Their frustration has been echoed by community members, medical colleagues, and civil rights advocates who point to the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the incident. Vigils, memorials, and demonstrations have spread beyond Minneapolis to cities like Madison and Seattle, where citizens are calling for justice and for an end to aggressive federal immigration operations that they argue have endangered civilians and local communities. The shooting comes less than three weeks after another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, was also killed during a federal immigration enforcement action, further fueling public anger and political pressure on national leaders to address what critics describe as an unchecked use of force by federal agents. As Minneapolis and the country grapple with shock and sorrow, calls for independent investigations and policy reform are intensifying.