The fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse and U.S. citizen, has become a flashpoint in national debate over law enforcement, protest rights, and use of force. On January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis, Pretti was shot multiple times and killed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation that was part of Operation Metro Surge, a controversial crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol in the Twin Cities. Pretti worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, had no significant criminal record, and was widely described by family, colleagues, and friends as compassionate, dedicated to helping others—especially veterans—and committed to community service. Local authorities confirmed he was a lawful, licensed firearm holder but emphasized that he had no history of violent behavior.
In the moments leading up to the shooting, multiple bystander videos capture a chaotic scene in which federal agents were confronting members of the public during the operation. According to the widely reviewed footage, Pretti initially held a cell phone and was attempting to direct people or help a woman who had been shoved by an agent. Rather than brandishing a weapon in a threatening way, he appears to raise his hands—one holding the phone—while another shields his face from chemical spray. In the ensuing struggle, agents wrestle him to the ground and remove his holstered handgun; independent analyses by major news outlets conclude that he did not brandish or point the weapon before being shot. Moments later, at least one CBP agent fired multiple rounds, striking Pretti as he lay pinned.
Federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), offered a conflicting description of events. DHS spokespeople and CBP leadership initially stated that agents encountered an individual who “approached officers with a handgun” and resisted attempts to disarm him, characterizing the response as defensive aimed at preventing harm to officers and the public. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that Pretti’s actions posed a threat and defended the use of deadly force, though the precise sequence of actions and reason for the shots remains subject to differing interpretations. The federal account also stated that after Pretti was disarmed, agents perceived continued danger and acted accordingly, a perspective that has been disputed by both witnesses and video analyses.
The gap between these accounts has fueled intense public scrutiny, legal challenges, and political response. Pretti’s ex-wife, Rachel Canoun, has described him as someone whose political views were passionate but not violent, and whose firearm remained holstered; she emphasized that he was not menacing in personal interactions, questioning the characterization of him as a threat that justified lethal force. Supporters, family members, and community advocates argue that the video evidence and contextual behavior show a man attempting to document or de-escalate the situation rather than escalate it—standing near the agents, helping others, and using his phone as a recording device when the confrontation began. This clash of narratives has made each frame of available footage a focal point in debates over training, bias, and law enforcement protocols during high-tension encounters.
In the broader context, Pretti’s death is part of a series of confrontations between federal agents and civilians in Minneapolis. Earlier in January 2026, another federal officer fatally shot Renée Good, another incident that ignited protests and heightened tensions around ICE operations. Video footage released after Pretti’s death also showed an altercation between him and federal agents roughly 11 days before the fatal encounter, adding complexity to discussions about his presence at protests and interactions with law enforcement. Family attorneys, including those with notable civil rights litigation backgrounds, have argued that prior confrontations cannot justify the later use of deadly force and called for independent investigations into federal actions.
The aftermath of the shooting has prompted protests, calls for accountability, and broader debate about immigration enforcement tactics and civil rights. Thousands have gathered to demand transparency and reforms, while local officials and residents question the necessity and proportionality of federal use of force in public spaces. Minnesota political leaders and community advocates have pressed for independent review and accountability, citing discrepancies between government statements and public footage. The incident has also drawn national attention to how law enforcement agencies interact with armed civilians—especially those exercising their legal rights—and the responsibility of federal agencies to avoid unnecessary escalation. For many, Pretti’s death represents not only a tragic loss of life but also a stark reminder of the unresolved tensions between public safety, individual liberty, and the exercise of state power in deeply polarized times
