Alex Pretti: ICU Nurse Killed by ICE Agents — What We Know

The news that a nurse was killed by federal agents hits differently. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot multiple times by immigration agents in January 2026, and the death, ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, has raised urgent questions about use-of-force protocols and the line between self-defense and escalation.

Age at death: 37 ·
Occupation: ICU nurse, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ·
Date of incident: January 2026 ·
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota ·
Cause of death: Multiple gunshot wounds ·
Ruling: Homicide by medical examiner

Seven key facts about Alex Pretti, from his identity to the official ruling:

What happened to Alex Pretti?

Timeline of the shooting

• On January 24, 2026, around 9 a.m., federal immigration agents encountered Alex Pretti in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
• According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents acted in self-defense after Pretti resisted efforts to disarm him and approached them with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.
• Minneapolis police later confirmed that Pretti was a legal gun owner with no criminal record.
• The Associated Press reported that a Border Patrol agent repeatedly shouted that Pretti had a gun, and both a Border Patrol agent and a CBP officer discharged their Glock handguns.
• Multiple videos show federal agents spraying Pretti with a substance and pinning him to the ground before the shooting.
• A witness told Democracy Now! that Pretti never reached for his gun and that an agent removed it from his holster before the first shot; a total of 10 shots were fired, six of them at Pretti’s motionless body.

Medical examiner’s ruling

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner classified Pretti’s manner of death as homicide, with the cause being multiple gunshot wounds.

The implication: Until the federal investigation resolves which narrative holds, the case remains a flashpoint for immigration enforcement and police accountability debates.

Did Alex Pretti have a wife?

Family background

• No publicly confirmed wife or spouse has been identified in any official records or media reports.
• Pretti is survived by his parents and a sister, who released a statement asking for privacy and justice.
• The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) noted that Pretti’s sister spoke publicly about the trauma and the family’s loss (Washington State Nurses Association).

The implication: Pretti’s personal life remained largely private. The lack of a spouse means the public focus stays on his professional identity and the circumstances of his death.

What is the ethnicity of Alex Pretti?

Surname origin

Pretti’s surname is of Italian origin, and public records and family statements confirm he was of Italian ancestry.

Public records

No other ethnic background has been reported. Pretti is described in news accounts as a U.S. citizen, born in the United States.

The pattern: The ethnicity question arises because the surname is uncommon in the U.S., but official records consistently show Italian heritage.

What did Trump say about Alex Pretti?

Former President Donald Trump commented on the shooting in a public statement. According to news reports, Trump expressed concern and called for a full investigation, though he did not directly blame the agents.

Why this matters: Trump’s comments carry political weight because his administration had expanded immigration enforcement, and the incident occurred during a period of heightened border security operations. His reaction could influence the public discourse and potential policy changes.

What happened to the ICU nurse shot in Minnesota?

Response and aftermath

• The shooting sparked protests and community vigils in Minneapolis. MPR News described Pretti as “kind, competent and quiet”.
• The Washington State Nurses Association issued a statement calling the killing “a brutal act of violence” and demanding accountability.
• A prior altercation between Pretti and federal agents allegedly occurred 11 days before his death, according to The Guardian (The Guardian).

Legal proceedings

• A federal investigation was opened by the FBI and the Department of Justice.
• By July 2026, the Associated Press reported that federal evidence had been turned over to prosecutors, indicating a potential criminal case.

The catch: Until charges are filed or declined, the public narrative will be shaped by the growing body of video evidence and witness accounts that contradict the official DHS version of events.

For the Department of Veterans Affairs, the loss of a nurse to a federal shooting is a breach of trust. The investigation must answer whether the agents’ use of force was justified — or whether protocols failed a citizen who was simply walking down the street. Related coverage: Renee Nicole Good: ICE Shooting Facts and Questions examines another case with verified facts and unanswered questions.