The family of a Minneapolis nurse who was shot and killed by federal immigration agents has strongly accused the administration of Donald Trump of spreading what they described as “reprehensible and disgusting” falsehoods about the incident. Rejecting official claims, the family insists that video evidence clearly shows their son was unarmed at the time of the shooting and was attempting to shield a woman during the confrontation. The killing has intensified public anger in Minneapolis, with the family demanding an independent investigation into the conduct of immigration agents involved.
The shooting occurred on Sunday when US immigration agents fatally shot a US citizen during a clash in Minneapolis, triggering renewed protests and political controversy. It marked the second such fatal incident involving immigration enforcement in the city within the same month. The Department of Homeland Security stated that a Border Patrol agent fired in self-defence after a man allegedly resisted efforts to disarm him and was carrying a handgun.
That account has been firmly disputed by the victim’s family. The man has been identified by media reports and social media users as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who worked at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital. His relatives have categorically denied claims that he posed any threat to the agents.
In an emotional statement, the family said they were devastated by the loss but also deeply angered by what they see as a deliberate distortion of facts. They described Alex as a compassionate and selfless individual who cared deeply for his family, friends, and the military veterans he treated as an ICU nurse. According to them, his goal in life was to make a positive difference, and they believe his final actions reflected that character, as he tried to protect a woman during the chaos.
The family further alleged that the official narrative is contradicted by bystander footage widely shared online. In their statement, they accused the administration of lying about the circumstances of his death, asserting that Alex was clearly not holding a gun when he was attacked. They said he was holding a cellphone in his right hand, while his left hand was raised and empty as he attempted to shield a woman who had been pushed to the ground, all while he was being pepper sprayed by agents.
Videos verified by Reuters show Pretti standing in the street filming immigration officers as tensions escalated. In the footage, an agent appears to deploy pepper spray toward Pretti and other protesters. As Pretti tries to block the spray and help people nearby, multiple agents rush toward him, force him to the ground, and strike him repeatedly.
While Pretti is restrained on the pavement, one of the agents draws a firearm and fires multiple shots. His body is later seen lying motionless in the street as agents retreat from the immediate area. The graphic nature of the footage has further fuelled outrage and disbelief among members of the public.
The killing quickly drew hundreds of protesters to the neighbourhood, where masked and armed federal agents responded by using tear gas and flashbang grenades to disperse crowds. The atmosphere remained tense as demonstrations spread, reflecting deep frustration with the ongoing immigration enforcement actions.
The shooting took place amid escalating tensions between Minnesota officials and the Trump administration over immigration policy. Earlier in the month, another US citizen, Renee Good, was shot and killed by federal agents on January 7. In that case as well, officials claimed the agent acted in self-defence and declined to allow local authorities to participate in the investigation.
President Trump has accused local leaders of fuelling resistance against federal agents, alleging that their rhetoric encouraged unrest. In a social media post, he claimed that local leadership was inciting insurrection through what he described as dangerous and arrogant statements.
Vice President JD Vance, who recently visited Minneapolis, alleged that local authorities failed to provide adequate police support to immigration officers. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rejected that criticism, arguing that the aggressive immigration crackdown has already placed enormous strain on local law enforcement resources.
The shooting followed several days of sustained unrest, with more than 10,000 people braving freezing temperatures to protest the federal immigration drive. Public anger had already been building over a series of incidents, including the killing of Renee Good, the detention of a US citizen taken from his home while wearing shorts, and the detention of schoolchildren, including a five-year-old boy. Together, these events have deepened divisions and heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement practices.
