Image source, Reuters
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- Author, Atahualpa America
- Author’s title, BBC News World
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Reading time: 6 min
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, died on Saturday in Minneapolis after being shot several times by a United States federal immigration agent.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Pretti was killed after approaching Border Patrol agents carrying a 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol, without specifying whether he brandished it.
Videos recorded by witnesses and released shortly after show Pretti with a phone in his hand while several officers try to subdue him until one of them begins to shoot at him.
In the images, which leave many questions about what happened in the less than 30 seconds that the struggle lasted, it is not seen that the protester grabbed a weapon.
DHS shared a photo of the gun the victim was allegedly carrying.
Relatives of Alex Pretti confirmed that he owned a firearm and that he had the corresponding permit to carry a concealed weapon in Minnesota, although they assured that they had never seen him carry it with him.
In a statement released hours after Pretti’s death, his family described the authorities’ explanations as “disgusting lies.”
Image source, Getty Images
The shooting occurred in a context of growing tension in the city due to the intense campaign of raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE), which has provoked strong protests from a sector of citizens.
These intensified after an ICE agent shot and killed US citizen Renée Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7.
Alex Pretti, also a US citizen, is the second person to die at the hands of ICE agents in Minneapolis.
The family learned of his death through a call from a journalist from Associated Press (AP), as reported by the US agency.
This indicated that, after seeing the videos of the shooting that began to spread on social networks, Pretti’s relatives tried to obtain information from the authorities without success, until the Hennepin County medical examiner confirmed that there was a body that matched the name and description of their son.
Image source, Reuters
Nurse and nature lover
Table of Contents
- 1. Nurse and nature lover
- 2. Outraged with Trump and ICE
- 3. The statement from his family
- 4. What were the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents?
- 5. Who Was Alex Pretti, the Protester Shot Dead by ICE Agents in Minnesota?
- 6. Background: Alex Pretti’s Life and Activism
- 7. The protest and the Shooting Incident
- 8. Investigations and Findings
- 9. The Debate Surrounding Use of Force and Protest Rights
- 10. The Legacy of Alex Pretti and Ongoing Activism
Pretti worked as an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.
In statements to The New York Timesa hospital colleague defined him as a good-hearted friend with a sense of humor and passionate about his work.
Image source, Reuters
Alex Pretti was born in Illinois and grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he played football, baseball and track at Preble High School, his family told the AP.
During his adolescence in Wisconsin he was boy scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy choir.
She attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and environment.
He began working as a research scientist before returning to university to train as a registered nurse.
Pretti lived alone in a four-apartment condominium located about 3.2 kilometers from the place where he was killed.
His neighbors described him as calm and caring.
“He is a wonderful person. He has a big heart,” a neighbor who lives in the same neighborhood told AP.
Image source, Reuters
As a nurse he worked long hours and in his free time he liked to enjoy nature, as well as cycling.
He was very close to his dog Joule, who died a year ago.
Days before this Saturday, he told his parents that he tipped US$100 to a Latino worker who repaired his garage door, according to AP.
“He loved this country, but he hated what certain people were doing to it,” his mother, Susan Pretti, told the agency.
Outraged with Trump and ICE
According to the testimonies of those close to him, Pretti felt outraged with the Trump administration’s immigration policies, as well as with ICE operations in Minneapolis and throughout the country, which is why he became involved in the protests after the death of Renée Good.
His father, Michael Pretti, said his son “cared a lot about people and was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and across the United States with ICE, like millions of others.”
“He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people and knew it was wrong, so he participated in protests,” he added.
Michael Pretti assured that he and his wife had spoken with their son weeks before about the risks of demonstrating.
“We told him to protest, but not to get involved, not to do anything stupid. And he said he knew it,” he lamented.
Image source, Reuters
Pretti owned firearms and occasionally took a rifle to a shooting range, his neighbors told the AP, who were surprised by the idea of him carrying a gun on the street.
“He never struck me as the type of person to carry a gun,” said a neighbor.
The agency also cited his ex-wife, Rachel N. Canoun, who said she was not surprised that Pretti participated in protests.
She described him as someone who felt injustice deeply, although she never knew him as someone who physically confronted other people.
His ex-wife confirmed that the victim had obtained his permit to carry a concealed weapon about three years earlier.
The statement from his family
Hours after Pretti’s death, the family issued a statement. We reproduce it in full:
We are heartbroken, but also very angry.
Alex was a kind-hearted person who loved his family and friends, as well as the American veterans he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he won’t be with us to see the impact he had. I don’t use the word “hero” lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman.
The disgusting lies the administration has told about our son are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex clearly didn’t have a gun when he was attacked by Trump’s cowardly, murderous ICE thugs. She had her phone in her right hand and her empty left hand raised above her head, trying to protect the woman who had just been pushed to the ground by ICE as they sprayed her with pepper spray.
Please spread the truth about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.
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What were the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents?
Who Was Alex Pretti, the Protester Shot Dead by ICE Agents in Minnesota?
Alex Pretti, a 32-year-old resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, became a focal point of national attention following his death on September 2, 2023, during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His shooting sparked immediate outrage and fueled ongoing debates surrounding police accountability, immigration enforcement tactics, and protest rights. This article delves into who Alex Pretti was, the circumstances surrounding his death, the subsequent investigations, and the lasting impact of this tragic event.
Background: Alex Pretti’s Life and Activism
Before becoming a symbol of protest, Alex Pretti lived a life deeply rooted in community activism and social justice. He was known within Minneapolis circles as a dedicated advocate for immigrant rights, frequently participating in demonstrations and organizing efforts aimed at dismantling what he perceived as unjust immigration policies.
* Community Involvement: Pretti volunteered with several local organizations supporting immigrant communities, offering legal assistance, translation services, and advocacy support.
* Political Views: He openly expressed strong opposition to ICE’s detention practices and deportation policies, viewing them as harmful to families and communities. His social media presence reflected consistent engagement with progressive political causes.
* Personal Life: described by friends as compassionate and thoughtful, Pretti was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, where he studied political science. He worked as a freelance graphic designer, often utilizing his skills to create materials for activist groups.
The protest and the Shooting Incident
The protest where Alex Pretti was fatally shot took place outside the ICE field office in Minneapolis. Demonstrators were rallying against ICE’s increased enforcement activities and the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border. The protest, initially peaceful, escalated as counter-protesters arrived, leading to confrontations.
* Initial Confrontations: Reports indicate a physical altercation broke out between protesters and counter-protesters. ICE agents, present to secure the building, became involved in attempting to de-escalate the situation.
* The Shooting: According to official statements from ICE,an agent discharged their firearm after Pretti allegedly advanced towards them with a weapon. Witnesses, however, offered conflicting accounts, claiming Pretti was unarmed or was attempting to intervene in a physical altercation.
* Immediate Aftermath: Pretti was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.The shooting promptly triggered a wave of protests and calls for an autonomous investigation.
Investigations and Findings
Multiple investigations were launched in the wake of Pretti’s death, involving the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Department of Homeland security’s office of Inspector General, and independent reviews commissioned by the city of Minneapolis.
* BCA Investigation: The BCA’s investigation concluded that Pretti was carrying a box cutter when he approached the ICE agent. The agent claimed to have feared for their life and acted in self-defence. However,the BCA’s report acknowledged inconsistencies in witness testimonies.
* Department of Homeland Security Review: The DHS review focused on the ICE agent’s adherence to agency policies and use-of-force protocols. The review found no evidence of policy violations but recommended additional training on de-escalation techniques.
* Independent Review: The independent review, conducted by a team of legal experts, criticized the BCA’s investigation for being overly reliant on the ICE agent’s account and for failing to adequately consider option narratives. The review called for greater openness and accountability in investigations involving federal law enforcement.
* Legal Outcomes (as of January 2026): As of January 2026, no criminal charges have been filed against the ICE agent involved in the shooting. The case remains a subject of ongoing legal debate and civil rights advocacy.
The Debate Surrounding Use of Force and Protest Rights
Alex Pretti’s death reignited a national conversation about the appropriate use of force by law enforcement during protests,notably in the context of immigration enforcement.
* Protest Rights: The First amendment guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest. Though, the boundaries of this right are frequently enough contested, especially when protests involve civil disobedience or confrontations with law enforcement.
* Use of Force Policies: ICE’s use-of-force policies, like those of other federal law enforcement agencies, allow agents to use deadly force when they reasonably believe their life or the lives of others are in imminent danger. Critics argue that these policies are to broad and give agents excessive discretion.
* De-escalation Training: Advocates for police reform emphasize the importance of de-escalation training, which teaches officers techniques for resolving conflicts without resorting to force. The lack of adequate de-escalation training has been cited as a contributing factor in numerous police shootings.
The Legacy of Alex Pretti and Ongoing Activism
Alex Pretti’s death continues to inspire activism and advocacy for immigrant rights and police accountability.
* The Alex Pretti Memorial Fund: Established by friends and family,the fund supports organizations providing legal assistance to immigrants and advocating for immigration reform.
* Continued Protests: Demonstrations and rallies continue to be held in Minneapolis and other cities, demanding justice for Alex Pretti and calling for an end to ICE’s harmful policies.
* Legislative Efforts: Activists are working to pass legislation that would increase transparency and accountability in investigations involving federal law enforcement and restrict the use of force during protests.
* Impact on Immigration Discourse: The case has contributed to a broader public awareness of the challenges faced by immigrant communities and the need for thorough immigration reform.
