Seven months after 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, his family is breaking their silence. Speaking publicly for the first time, Pretti’s parents and sister are demanding accountability and challenging the narrative pushed by government officials.
The fatal shooting occurred on January 24 during "Operation Metro Surge"—a federal immigration crackdown. Pretti's death came just two weeks after another U.S. citizen, Renee Good, was shot and killed by an ICE officer under the same federal operation, intensifying local scrutiny of federal law enforcement tactics.
What Happened in Minneapolis?
Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen who worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs, was observing immigration enforcement activity in his community when the confrontation occurred.
Eyewitness video paint a vivid picture of his final moments:
- The Encounter: Pretti appeared to be recording the operation on his phone when a federal officer shoved a bystander into him.
- The Struggle: As Pretti attempted to help her, he was wrestled to the ground.
- The Shooting: While on the ground, officers stripped Pretti of his licensed, legally carried firearm. Shortly after, officers fired approximately 10 shots.
Pretti’s parents, Susan and Michael, tragically discovered their son had been shot while watching live television news, recognizing his jacket and sunglasses in the broadcast footage.
The Political Fallout
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, high-ranking Trump administration officials quickly painted Pretti as an aggressor. Former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino claimed Pretti wanted to "massacre law enforcement," while then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeled him a "domestic terrorist" and "assassin." President Donald Trump later referred to him as an "agitator" and "insurrectionist" on social media.
Michael Pretti pushed back sharply on these characterizations, calling them "ridiculous" and "un-presidential," noting that there was "more effort in vilifying him than pursuing justice." The family is now demanding a public apology.
Where the Investigation Stands
The Department of Justice, along with the DHS and FBI, has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting. However, the Pretti family’s attorney, Steve Schleicher, says the process has lacked transparency, leaving the family with "more questions than answers."
Schleicher criticized the DOJ's lack of communication, stating the family has a right to know who shot Pretti. In response, a DOJ spokesperson stated that standard protocol dictates communicating with family members during later stages of a case—such as indictments or trials—rather than during an active investigation.
For Pretti's family, the goal remains simple: they want the names of the officers released and formal charges filed.
