The fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents has sparked a national outcry. The incident happened during an immigration raid in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Pretti was a U.S. citizen who worked at the local Veterans Affairs hospital. He was killed during a confrontation partially captured on video.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey both condemned the federal operation. Governor Walz called the event “sickening” and insisted that the state—not the federal government—will lead the investigation. Mayor Frey argued that the presence of masked, armed agents on city streets creates a sense of danger and should end immediately.
Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word. pic.twitter.com/JCtKIWnjRP
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) January 24, 2026
President Donald Trump defended the federal agents on social media. He suggested that state leaders are using the tragedy to hide other local issues. While federal officials claim Pretti was armed with a handgun, bystander footage appears to show him holding only a cell phone.
Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, described their son as a “hero.” They say he was a kind man who was simply trying to protect a woman during the raid. They confirmed he owned a legal firearm but stated he was not the type of person to pose a threat to others.
Today, we lost another Minneapolis neighbor after multiple ICE agents pummeled him and shot him to death.
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) January 24, 2026
How many more people need to die or get shot before this ends?
President Trump, I am calling on you to put the American people and this American city first & get ICE out. pic.twitter.com/iGkziVRPUI
Alex Pretti had no criminal record and was well-loved by his patients and colleagues. His death has now intensified the national debate over federal power and how immigration laws are enforced in American cities.