• Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37-year-old VA intensive care nurse, identified as man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents Saturday morning
• Family says Pretti was passionate advocate who participated in protests following Renee Good’s killing earlier this month
• Minneapolis police confirm Pretti was lawful gun owner with permit to carry, had no criminal record beyond traffic tickets

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (TDR) — The man fatally shot by federal agents during a confrontation Saturday morning outside Glam Doll Donuts has been identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse at the Veterans Administration who was actively protesting federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, his parents confirmed to multiple news outlets.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti died at Hennepin Healthcare after being shot multiple times by U.S. Border Patrol agents near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue around 9:05 a.m. Saturday, making him the third person shot by federal agents in Minneapolis in just 17 days.

Family Describes Compassionate Advocate

Michael Pretti, Alex’s father, told the Associated Press his son cared deeply about people and was distressed by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.

“He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” Michael Pretti said. “He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others.”

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

Alex Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who loved adventures with Joule, his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog who recently died. Born in Illinois, Pretti graduated from the University of Minnesota and held an active nursing license. He worked as an ICU nurse at the VA, dedicating his career to caring for veterans.

The family said Pretti had recently become active in protests following the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, an incident that sparked widespread demonstrations across Minneapolis.

“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael Pretti told reporters. “And he said he knows that. He knew that.”

Lawful Gun Owner With No Criminal History

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed at a Saturday press conference that Pretti was a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and American citizen who authorities believe was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry.

“We believe he is a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry,” O’Hara said, adding that Pretti had no criminal record beyond traffic tickets.

Court records confirm Pretti had no serious criminal history. Family members told reporters that while Pretti owned a handgun and had a concealed carry permit in Minnesota, they had never known him to carry the weapon.

The Department of Homeland Security released a photo of what they claim was a 9mm semiautomatic handgun recovered at the scene, along with two magazines. However, DHS officials did not specify whether Pretti brandished the weapon, and the gun is not visible in bystander video of the shooting obtained by news outlets.

Conflicting Accounts of Confrontation

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said at a news conference that federal law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation seeking a man with a criminal history including domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license when the shooting occurred.

“At 9:05 a.m. CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

“The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots.”

Bovino added that the eight-year Border Patrol veteran who shot Pretti was highly trained with extensive experience as a range safety officer and less-lethal officer.

However, graphic video obtained by multiple news organizations shows at least six masked federal agents wrestling Pretti to the ground before shots are fired. A separate video taken moments before shows an agent shoving Pretti as he backs up.

Family Learned Through Media Reports

The Pretti family first learned of the shooting when they received a call from an Associated Press reporter. They watched the circulating video and said the man killed appeared to be their son. Family members then attempted to reach officials in Minnesota for confirmation.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Saturday he watched video showing federal agents pummeling and killing a constituent.

“How many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?” Frey asked, renewing his call for President Donald Trump to remove federal agents from Minneapolis.

Third Shooting in 17 Days

Pretti’s death marks the third shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis since January 7. Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother and U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7 in an incident that sparked massive protests. The following week, federal officers shot Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg during a separate operation.

The escalating tensions prompted Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus to release a statement expressing concern about the shooting.

“We are deeply concerned by this morning’s reports that a federal law enforcement operation in Minneapolis resulted in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal agents. According to local officials, the man was legally armed, a firearm was recovered at the scene, and he is believed to have been a lawful gun owner and permit to carry holder.”

“Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times.”

Protests and NBA Game Postponement

Following Pretti’s shooting, hundreds of protesters gathered at the scene despite temperatures hovering around negative 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Federal agents deployed tear gas, flash bangs, and pepper spray as confrontations with demonstrators escalated throughout the day.

The Minnesota National Guard was activated by Governor Tim Walz to assist local police amid growing protests. The NBA postponed a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors originally scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Target Center, citing safety concerns.

Walz said Saturday he has no confidence in federal officials and that Minnesota will lead the investigation into the shooting.

“Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word on this. It must have the last word on this,” Walz said after speaking with the White House twice on Saturday.

Hours after the shooting and before any investigation was completed, White House advisor Stephen Miller claimed without evidence that Pretti was a domestic terrorist who tried to assassinate federal law enforcement, according to Wikipedia reports.

Should federal agents conducting immigration enforcement operations in American cities be held to the same investigative standards as local law enforcement when lethal force is used against U.S. citizens?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from the Associated Press reporting on Pretti’s identity, PBS NewsHour coverage of the shooting, CBS News live updates from Minneapolis, KCRA’s reporting on the confrontation details, HuffPost’s coverage of the incident, TMZ’s family statements, Yahoo News reporting on Mayor Frey’s response, and Wikipedia documentation of the incident.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10