Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse in Minneapolis

Minneapolis was thrust into national headlines after federal immigration agents fatally shot a 37-year-old man amid a large-scale enforcement operation that has already sparked intense protests and political criticism.

The incident — the second fatal federal agent shooting in the city in recent weeks — has raised fresh questions about law enforcement tactics, the use of force, and the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents in U.S. cities.

What Happened on January 24 in Minneapolis?

On the morning of January 24, 2026, federal agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and intensive-care nurse, during an immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. Local officials confirmed that Pretti — who worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and was a lawful gun owner — was shot multiple times by Border Patrol agents after a confrontation on a city street.

Video footage from the scene reviewed by multiple outlets appears to show Pretti being wrestled to the sidewalk by several agents and then shot repeatedly, even after he was motionless. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the action as self-defense, claiming agents faced an armed threat, but local leaders and witnesses dispute that version.

Conflicting Accounts and Evidence

Federal officials assert that Pretti approached agents with a firearm and resisted attempts to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire in what DHS called a justified defensive response. However, bystander videos verified by news organisations show Pretti holding only a phone at times and attempting to help another person before being pepper-sprayed and subdued.

City authorities have criticised the federal narrative, with Minneapolis officials saying the shooting was unnecessary and that video footage raises serious questions about the use of force. Investigators are still reviewing the full circumstances, and both local and federal authorities have acknowledged ongoing inquiries.

Outrage, Protests, and Political Response

The killing has ignited protests in Minneapolis and beyond, drawing hundreds of demonstrators demanding accountability and an end to what they describe as aggressive federal immigration enforcement. The episode has stirred sharp criticism from local leaders, labour unions, and civil rights advocates, who say it reflects a pattern of excessive force under the current immigration crackdown.

The incident follows the earlier January 7 shooting of Renée Good by an ICE agent — a death that Hennepin County officials later ruled a homicide and which also prompted widespread condemnation. Together, the shootings have intensified calls from Minnesota politicians for federal agents to withdraw from local enforcement activities.

Broader Context — Immigration Enforcement Surge

The Minneapolis shootings come amid Operation Metro Surge, a major federal enforcement campaign deploying thousands of ICE and Border Patrol officers across the region. Critics argue that the scale and tactics of the operation have escalated violence, eroded trust between communities and law enforcement, and highlighted deep tensions over immigration policy and civil rights.

Supporters of the federal strategy maintain that agents are operating within legal authority to enforce immigration laws, though local resistance and national debate continue to grow. Investigations into both fatal incidents are ongoing as officials grapple with the fallout.

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