January 25, 2026
Minneapolis city officials have confirmed that a 37‑year‑old resident and intensive care nurse, identified as Alex Pretti, was fatally shot by federal immigration enforcement personnel during an operation in the south‑west of the city on Saturday morning.
Pretti, who worked at the Veterans Affairs health care system and was a lawful gun owner, was shot multiple times following a confrontation with Homeland Security agents.
City leaders have said they possess limited official information and have relied on bystander video of the incident, which they say shows Pretti holding a phone rather than a weapon when engaged by officers.
Disputes over whether he posed a threat have intensified controversy over the use of force by federal personnel in Minneapolis.
The death represents the second fatal shooting by federal agents in the city in recent weeks.
Local demonstrations have taken place in response to the shooting, with protesters clashing with law enforcement and calling for transparency and accountability in federal operations.
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The Minnesota governor has deployed members of the National Guard to support local authorities amid ongoing unrest.
Investigations by state and federal bodies remain underway.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security have defended the actions of federal agents, asserting that Pretti approached them with a firearm and that the use of lethal force was in self‑defence.
However, local leaders including the Minneapolis mayor and police chief have challenged that narrative, urging national political figures to end the current federal enforcement operation and to work towards restoring peace and public safety.
The shooting has reignited debate across the United States about federal law enforcement tactics in urban areas, particularly in cities experiencing heightened immigration‑related activity.
Calls for independent reviews of law enforcement conduct and for clearer communication between federal and local authorities have grown louder amid continuing protests.
