A 37-year-old nurse was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis during what has been described as a time of heightened immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. The incident has sparked calls for clarity from both local and federal officials.
Victim Remembered as Compassionate and Adventurous
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, who was killed, worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital and was known for his dedication to patient care. According to his family, Pretti was deeply concerned about recent immigration policies and had actively participated in protests against them. “He cared about people deeply and was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE,” said his father, Michael Pretti.
Pretti was a native of Illinois and a U.S. citizen. He reportedly had no criminal record aside from minor traffic violations. His family had advised him to exercise caution during protests, emphasizing the importance of non-engagement.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Pretti approached officers with a handgun, a claim not supported by bystander videos, which show Pretti holding a mobile phone. The Department of Homeland Security reported that Pretti was in possession of a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, though it remains unclear if he presented it during the confrontation.
Family members confirmed that Pretti owned a handgun and held a permit for concealed carry but were unaware of him carrying it regularly.
Family Seeks Answers
The family was initially informed of the incident by a journalist and struggled to obtain details from official channels. They contacted the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office, which confirmed the identity of the deceased.
In response to allegations labeling their son as a “domestic terrorist,” the family issued a statement condemning these assertions as “reprehensible and disgusting.” They emphasized that videos showed Pretti shielding a woman while holding a phone, not a weapon.
His family urged, “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”
Background and Community Involvement
Pretti, who grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was actively involved in sports and community activities from a young age. He pursued a degree in biology, society, and the environment from the University of Minnesota and later became a registered nurse. Those who knew him described him as having “a great heart” and frequently helping neighbors.
Despite his quiet demeanor, Pretti was passionate about social justice and environmental issues, participating in protests following the death of George Floyd. His concerns about the degradation of the environment under the Trump administration were known to his family.
Pretti’s mother, Susan, reflected on her son’s values, stating, “He loved this country, but he hated what people were doing to it.”
