Minneapolis Protests Erupt After Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse Alex Pretti
Minneapolis Protests Erupt After Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse Alex Pretti
MINNEAPOLIS — Tensions in the Twin Cities reached a boiling point overnight as hundreds of demonstrators held an all-night "noise protest" outside federal buildings. The mobilization follows the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, who was killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. According to witness accounts and viral video footage, Pretti was acting as a legal observer during a federal immigration operation. Witnesses state that Pretti stepped in to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground by agents. He was subsequently pepper-sprayed, tackled, and pinned to the pavement by multiple officers.
Disputed Accounts and Video Evidence
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement claiming agents fired "defensive shots" after Pretti approached them with a handgun and "violently resisted" being disarmed. However, multiple video analyses by major news outlets, including CNN and the New York Times, appear to contradict the official narrative:
Pretti was disarmed before the shots: Footage shows a federal agent removing a handgun from Pretti's holster and walking away from the scuffle seconds before the firing began.
Rapid Fire: Investigations indicate that at least 10 shots were fired within five seconds while Pretti was already pinned to the ground.
No Brandishing: Bystander videos show Pretti holding a cell phone in his right hand and nothing in his left prior to being tackled.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid state permit and had no criminal record.
A Community in Mourning
Pretti’s death is the third shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis this month, following the killing of Renée Good on January 7. Governor Tim Walz has condemned the federal "Operation Metro Surge," calling the administration's description of Pretti’s actions "lies" and "nonsense."
In a heartbreaking statement, Pretti’s family described him as a "kindhearted soul" who spent his life caring for veterans. "Alex wanted to make a difference in this world," they said. "The sickening lies told about our son are reprehensible."
