Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse in Minneapolis, Sparking Nationwide Protests

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen and registered ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed by federal immigration agents during an enforcement action in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, an incident that has amplified nationwide protests and political tensions.

Pretti, 37, was in the area near Nicollet Avenue when federal agents, deployed as part of a sprawling immigration enforcement effort dubbed Operation Metro Surge, engaged with protesters and bystanders. Federal authorities initially stated that Pretti had approached officers with a 9mm handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him.

However, bystander video circulating online and eyewitness testimony show Pretti holding a mobile phone, not a weapon, and attempting to help a woman who was being pepper-sprayed by an agent. Several videos appear to show agents tackling Pretti, wrestling him to the ground and, shortly thereafter, firing multiple shots at him while he was already restrained.

Contrasting Accounts and Unresolved Facts

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains that the shooting was justified and occurred after Pretti violently resisted and posed a threat to officers. Federal officials said agents were conducting a targeted operation against a separate suspect when Pretti approached.

Yet local law enforcement and video analysis disputes much of that narrative. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit, had no significant criminal history, and questioned the federal account of events.

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order requiring DHS to preserve all evidence related to the shooting amid a lawsuit by local authorities alleging obstruction of the investigation.

Public Outcry and Protests

The killing has sparked protests across Minneapolis and in cities nationwide, including demonstrations at the Colorado Capitol and rallies in southern California. Many protesters decry the federal operation and call for the withdrawal of immigration agents from urban environments.

In Minneapolis, crowds braved cold temperatures to chant slogans such as “Justice for Pretti” and “ICE out now,” block streets with makeshift barriers and transform the shooting site into a memorial.

Political Reactions and Broader Impact

State officials including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have condemned the shooting and urged federal authorities to pull agents out of the state. Walz described the federal narrative as “nonsense” and demanded cooperation with local investigators.

Prominent labor leaders and unions have also weighed in, calling for an end to aggressive federal enforcement and demanding accountability to prevent further violence.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign for Pretti’s family raised nearly $700,000 within a day, reflecting widespread public sympathy and outrage.

Personal Tributes and Ongoing Investigation

Friends and colleagues remember Pretti as a compassionate caregiver devoted to veterans, community service and social justice. His family has condemned federal officials’ characterization of him, insisting he was unarmed and acting to protect others at the time of his death.

As investigations continue, questions about federal authority, law enforcement tactics and transparency remain at the forefront of national debate. Calls for independent reviews and policy reforms are intensifying as communities grapple with the implications of the killing.

Source:

The Guardian/ AP News/ Reuters/ Wall Street Jounal