Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, Named as Man Killed During Federal Immigration Operation in Minneapolis
The man who died following a confrontation with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis has now been identified, and his family is beginning to share who he was beyond the headlines.
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer during an enforcement operation on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Authorities say Pretti was armed at the time of the encounter. His death comes amid heightened federal immigration activity in the city and only weeks after another deadly incident that sparked public protests.
With his identity now confirmed, attention has shifted from the operation itself to the life Pretti lived and the unanswered questions surrounding his final moments.
What Happened in Minneapolis
According to the Associated Press, the shooting occurred during a targeted federal immigration enforcement action on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. Hospital officials confirmed Pretti died from at least one gunshot wound.
Early reports initially listed his age as 51, but updated medical and official records later clarified that he was 37 years old.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that the shooting took place as part of a broader federal immigration crackdown. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Pretti was carrying a firearm and two magazines at the time of the confrontation.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described the incident as “evolving,” noting that authorities were still reviewing the circumstances and additional details could emerge.
Video Footage Captures Chaotic Scene
Bystander video obtained by the Associated Press provides a clearer, though disturbing, look at the moments leading up to the shooting.
In the footage, protesters can be seen blowing whistles and shouting at federal agents. One officer pushes an individual wearing a brown jacket, green skirt, and black tights, who was holding a water bottle. That person reaches toward a nearby man later identified as Pretti — and the two briefly embrace.
Pretti, wearing a dark brown jacket and a black hat, appears to raise his phone toward an officer. The officer then shoves him in the chest, causing both to fall backward. After a brief cut in the video, the scene resumes with Pretti standing apart from the officer.
Moments later, multiple federal agents converge on Pretti. At least seven officers surround him as one kneels on his back. Another officer, holding what appears to be a canister, strikes him in the chest while others attempt to restrain him. Pretti appears to resist as his face becomes visible on camera. He is struck near the head several more times.
A gunshot is then heard, though the footage does not clearly show who fired it. Additional shots follow. Officers step back, and Pretti is left lying motionless on the pavement.
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Who Alex Pretti Was
Family members and a professional colleague later confirmed that Alex Jeffrey Pretti was the man killed during the operation.
Pretti was a registered nurse who worked in the intensive care unit at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital. Born in Illinois, he had no criminal history beyond a handful of minor traffic violations, according to court records reviewed by the Associated Press.
His LinkedIn profile shows that Pretti studied nursing at the University of Minnesota. While there, he also worked as a junior scientist at the university’s medical school beginning in 2012.
Records from the Minnesota Board of Nursing confirm that Pretti received his Registered Nurse license on January 19, 2021. His license was active at the time of his death and was not set to expire until March 2026.
As investigations continue, Pretti’s family and colleagues are left mourning a man they say was dedicated to caring for others — a detail now central to public discussion as scrutiny of the incident grows.