Community Outrage After Minnesota Shooting of Nurse Alex Pretti by Immigration Officers

Mon Feb 02 2026 18:52:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol in Minneapolis has sparked protests and demands for the departure of federal immigration officers from the city.

In Minneapolis, the shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse opposed to federal immigration crackdowns, by U.S. Border Patrol agents has ignited public outrage, resulting in protests and demands for the removal of federal officers. While officials claim Pretti resisted arrest and had a weapon, family members assert he posed no threat at the time of the shooting. The incident adds to a growing list of violence involving immigration enforcement, stoking tensions in local communities and leading to widespread calls for accountability and change.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse and outspoken protestor against federal immigration policies, has ignited significant unrest in Minneapolis. As federal immigration authorities remain in the city, calls have intensified for their withdrawal following a violent confrontation that left Pretti dead.

Witnesses report that after the shooting, hundreds of individuals gathered despite bitterly cold temperatures to express outrage. They clashed with federal agents, who were seen deploying pepper spray and other crowd control measures in response to the rising tensions.

Pretti's family has since identified him and released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief and anger, categorizing him as a kind-hearted individual who dedicated his life to helping others. They vehemently contest claims from federal officials suggesting he was armed and posed a threat during the incident.

The Department of Homeland Security has stated that agents fired upon Pretti after he allegedly showed a weapon and resisted attempts to disarm him. However, bystander video has surfaced that seems to contradict these claims, showing Pretti holding only a phone at the time of the confrontation, with both hands visible.

Governor Tim Walz has openly criticized the federal law enforcement presence in Minnesota, asserting a lack of confidence in their operations. His administration has actively called for an investigation into the shooting, aiming to hold accountable those involved in the incident.

The fallout from this tragic event has rippled across the nation, with protests erupting in other cities as well, uniting communities in solidarity against perceived aggression by federal immigration authorities. Demonstrators are demanding not only accountability for the shooting but also an end to ICE operations in local neighborhoods.

As communities nationwide grapple with similar tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, calls for a reassessment of policies and practices are only expected to grow louder in the wake of Pretti's death. The continuing protests serve as a reminder of the complex intersections of immigration, law enforcement, and community rights.