A federal Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and ICU nurse, during a federal immigration operation on January 24, 2026. This was part of a broader ICE enforcement effort called Operation Metro Surge

by johnelite2025 · January 25, 2026

Authorities have identified the man fatally shot during a weekend encounter with U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital. The shooting occurred early Saturday morning in south Minneapolis during what federal officials described as a targeted immigration enforcement operation carried out by the Department of Homeland Security. According to authorities, agents were conducting a focused action related to federal immigration objectives when they encountered Pretti, an interaction that quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation. News of the incident spread rapidly throughout the city, drawing intense public attention not only because of the involvement of federal immigration agents but also because of Pretti’s profession and background as a healthcare worker. The shooting took place amid heightened political and social tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, law enforcement authority, and the role of federal agencies operating within local communities. Almost immediately, questions arose about the circumstances of the encounter, the justification for the use of lethal force, and how the operation was planned and executed in a densely populated urban area. As details began to emerge, the incident became a focal point for broader debates over public safety, immigration policy, and accountability for law enforcement actions.

Federal officials stated that Border Patrol agents were engaged in what they described as a targeted enforcement activity when Pretti approached them. According to statements from the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol leadership, Pretti was armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and was carrying two loaded magazines at the time of the encounter. Authorities said he did not have accessible identification, which they argue contributed to the uncertainty and volatility of the situation. Agents reportedly attempted to disarm him, at which point a physical struggle ensued. Officials maintain that Pretti resisted efforts to restrain him and that the confrontation escalated rapidly. During the struggle, at least one agent discharged a firearm, striking Pretti. Law enforcement personnel on the scene rendered medical aid immediately following the shooting, according to federal accounts. Despite these efforts, Pretti was pronounced dead either at the scene or shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital. Federal officials emphasized that the shots were fired defensively, citing concerns for the safety of the agents involved and others nearby. These claims form the basis of the official narrative presented by federal authorities as investigations into the incident continue.

A federal Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and ICU nurse, during a federal immigration operation on January 24, 2026. This was part of a broader ICE enforcement effort called Operation Metro Surge

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