Minneapolis Nurse Shot: Veteran’s Hospital Victim

A 37-year-old intensive care nurse was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis during a confrontation, sparking protests and renewed criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics. Alex Pretti, a veteran at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was killed during a scuffle with agents on an icy street, less than three weeks after another US citizen, Renee Good, was shot and killed by an ICE officer.

Details of the Shooting

Pretti’s parents said their son intervened when an agent shoved a female protester shortly before his death. They denounced what they called “sickening lies” from the Trump administration, stating the gun Pretti was licensed to carry was not in his hand when he was shot. According to his parents, Pretti had his phone in his right hand and his left hand raised when he was pepper-sprayed and attacked.

Bystander videos verified by Reuters show Pretti holding a phone, not a weapon, as he attempted to assist other protesters who had been pushed to the ground by agents. The videos also show an agent deploying pepper spray at Pretti and others.

Department of Homeland Security officials stated a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defense after Pretti, who they alleged had a handgun, resisted attempts to disarm him. Several agents then wrestled Pretti to the ground, striking him before shots were fired.

Reactions and Investigation

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the video footage “sickening” and stated the federal government could not be trusted to lead the investigation, adding that the state would handle it. Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said federal agents blocked his team’s attempts to begin an investigation.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record beyond traffic violations. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti attacked agents during an immigration raid, but did not specify if he had drawn his weapon.

Local officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, have called for an end to the Trump administration’s local immigration enforcement operations, questioning how many more residents need to be harmed before the operations cease. President Trump responded by accusing local leaders of inciting insurrection.

Protests following the shooting drew hundreds of demonstrators who confronted armed and masked agents, resulting in the deployment of tear gas and flashbang grenades. The Minneapolis Institute of Art closed for the day due to safety concerns, and a Minnesota Timberwolves game was postponed.

This shooting occurred one day after over 10,000 people protested the immigration crackdown in freezing temperatures. Residents have expressed anger over previous incidents, including the killing of Renee Good, the detention of a US citizen taken from his home, and the detention of school children, including a five-year-old boy.