ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Shot Dead by Federal Agents During Immigration Operation
en01.web.id – Minnesota. An intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, Alex Jeffrey Pretti (37), was shot and killed by U.S. federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Friday, January 24, 2026. The fatal shooting occurred amid a tense confrontation between federal officers and civilians, sparking immediate public outrage and protests across the city.
The incident took place in the city’s south-central area as agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were conducting an immigration operation in a public space. According to authorities, the presence of heavily armed federal agents prompted residents and activists to gather and protest, leading to a volatile situation on the ground.
In an official statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said federal agents discharged their weapons after perceiving an immediate threat. She stated that Pretti approached officers during the operation and that agents believed their lives were in danger, prompting what she described as defensive use of deadly force.
However, multiple videos recorded by bystanders and widely circulated on social media present a different account of the events. The footage shows Pretti holding what appears to be a mobile phone rather than a firearm. Witnesses said Pretti was attempting to assist civilians affected by pepper spray and was not behaving aggressively toward officers at the time of the shooting.
Local officials confirmed that Pretti sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said city police were not involved in the federal operation but are assisting with evidence collection, including the review of video footage and witness statements.
Pretti’s family identified him as an ICU nurse working at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis. In a public statement, his parents rejected claims that he posed a threat to law enforcement. “Alex dedicated his life to saving others,” the family said, calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the shooting.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed concern over the incident and emphasized the need for accountability. He said any use of lethal force by law enforcement must be thoroughly examined, particularly when it results in the death of a civilian during a federal operation conducted in a residential area.
As of Friday night, federal authorities had not released the identity of the agent or agents involved in the shooting. DHS said an internal investigation is underway, while civil rights groups and community leaders continue to demand an independent review as protests over Pretti’s death continue in Minneapolis.
Tim Redaksi
(rd/ks/jk)