Shot by ICE While Protecting Woman from Federal Agents: The Nurse Who Cared for Veterans

Shot While Protecting Another Female Protester
Calls for Investigation Amid Dispute Over Whether He Was Unarmed at the Time of the Shooting

The U.S. citizen who was shot and killed by an immigration enforcement agent in Minneapolis on the 24th has been identified as a 37-year-old nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital.

On January 24 (local time), the Associated Press and other media outlets reported that Alex Jeffrey Pretti, who died in Minneapolis, had worked for about five years as an intensive care unit nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital, dedicating himself to the care of critically ill patients.

His father, Michael Pretti, said, "My son genuinely cared about people and, like others, was outraged by what was happening in Minneapolis and across the United States. He believed participating in protests was a way to express his feelings."

The footage, obtained by Reuters, shows a federal agent using tear gas spray on Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, on the 24th. Reuters confirmed the filming location and date through the metadata of the original file and verified the location by examining buildings and road layouts. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On that day in Minneapolis, Pretti was shot and killed after intervening to stop immigration enforcement agents who were using force against a female protester, resulting in a physical altercation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that they recovered a handgun from Pretti at the scene and that the agents fired in self-defense. However, an analysis of footage obtained by CNN revealed that the federal agents had already removed Pretti's handgun just before the shooting.

Pretti was a U.S. citizen born in Illinois. According to court records, he had no criminal history. His family stated that, aside from receiving traffic tickets, he had never had any contact with the police.

The deceased Pretti had also participated in a protest held in memory of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by immigration enforcement agents on January 7.

Pretti's parents, who live in Wisconsin, said they had urged their son to be careful when participating in protests in Minneapolis. His father said, "About two weeks ago, I talked to him about this and told him that while it was okay to join protests, he should not get directly involved in confrontations or do anything reckless. He assured me he understood. He really did understand."

His colleagues also remembered him as a kind person. Dimitri Drekonya, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and head of infectious diseases at the VA hospital, said, "He was truly kind and always willing to help. He genuinely cared for his patients." Dr. Asma Shoukat, who hired him at the VA hospital, said, "He was the kindest, most gentle, and warm person I have ever met," adding, "Knowing Alex, he was probably trying to help or protect someone from the agents." The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNORN) issued a statement of condolence, mourning Pretti's passing.

Looking Closely at Pretti in the Footage...

The footage, obtained by Reuters, captures federal agents subduing Alex Pretty just before fatally shooting him during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 24th. Reuters confirmed the location and date of the video through metadata of the original file and verified the site by examining the arrangement of buildings and roads. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, a video released by the Minnesota local newspaper Star Tribune showed several agents subduing a man before opening fire.

In the footage, Pretti is seen standing and filming as immigration enforcement agents scuffle with protesting residents. When one agent roughly shoved a person wearing an orange bag, causing them to stumble, Pretti reached out as if to intervene.

The agent then sprayed what appeared to be pepper spray into Pretti's eyes, twisted his arms behind his back, and sprayed him again, knocking him to the ground. Seconds later, multiple agents surrounded and pinned Pretti down, assaulting him. Then, the first gunshot was heard.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the man was shot multiple times in the chest. Gregory Bovino, the chief of the Border Patrol who led the operation in Minnesota, stated that the federal agent who fired the shots was an eight-year veteran of the Border Patrol.

The Minnesota state government strongly objected, claiming that the Trump administration was attempting to use its power to cover up and manipulate the circumstances of the incident.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said that immediately after the incident, he spoke with the White House and demanded, "Withdraw thousands of violent and untrained agents from Minnesota immediately." He further stated in a separate statement that he told the White House, "The state-not the federal government-should lead the investigation."