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Introduction
BREAKING NEWS — A horrific incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis has shocked the nation and reignited fierce debate over the role of federal law enforcement in American cities. On Saturday morning, 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a dedicated ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital, was shot and killed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent during a high-profile federal operation in south Minneapolis.
Pretti’s death represents the second fatal shooting by federal officers in the city this month, following the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good. In the aftermath of the latest incident, local residents, health care workers, community leaders, and union members have been left in profound disbelief and grief. Friends and colleagues remember Pretti not for violence but for his compassion, his calm presence in the ICU, and his deep commitment to serving veterans and caring for others.
Federal officials have offered one version of events, stating that Pretti approached agents with a weapon and resisted efforts to be disarmed. But video evidence and multiple witness accounts dispute this narrative, showing Pretti holding what appears to be a phone and attempting to assist a woman — not brandish a weapon — before being pepper-sprayed, tackled, and fatally shot.
Across the country, vigils and fundraisers have emerged in support of Pretti’s family, with a GoFundMe campaign raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in just one day and community members expressing shock at the unexpected loss of a man known for his kindness.
The killing has also intensified calls from labor organizations and local leaders to end the federal enforcement operation in Minneapolis, with critics describing the surge of immigration agents as “senseless” and potentially dangerous.
As investigations continue, Minnesota officials and civil rights advocates are demanding transparency and accountability, while the nation watches closely, grappling with both outrage and sorrow over the loss of a caregiver whose life was devoted to helping others.