Alex Pretti (1988 to 2026) was a 37-year-old intensive care nurse for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs who was shot and killed by two federal Customs and Border Protection officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026. The shooting happened during protests against Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement campaign, and came weeks after a federal agent killed Renée Good. Video evidence reviewed by several news organizations contradicted early official claims about Pretti.
Background to the shooting
Operation Metro Surge began in December 2025, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeted the Minneapolis to Saint Paul area and later expanded across Minnesota. Federal agents made more than 3,000 arrests, which drew criticism for warrantless arrests, clashes with protesters, and detentions of United States citizens. Pretti had grown up in Wisconsin, studied at the University of Minnesota, and worked as a nurse in Minneapolis. He had taken part in earlier protests, and a recording from January 13 showed a confrontation with federal officers.
Official response and criticism
The Trump administration initially alleged, without presenting evidence, that Pretti was a domestic terrorist, claims that video evidence and witness testimony contradicted. The killing intensified protests against immigration forces, and criticism came from members of the Republican Party, prompting the administration to attempt a change of course. Gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America, condemned officials' remarks about Pretti's lawful possession of a firearm, citing his Second Amendment rights.