Federal Officer Shoots ICU Nurse During Minneapolis Immigration Protest, Guard Mobilized
Updated (2 articles)
Alex Pretti Killed While Demonstrating Against Immigration Crackdown Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive‑care nurse, was shot on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2026, on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis while protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration policy [1][2]. Bystander videos show Pretti holding a phone and no visible weapon at the moment he was hit [1][2]. His family identified him publicly and described him as a “kind‑hearted soul” [2]. The shooting occurred in –6 °C weather, prompting hundreds of onlookers to gather despite the cold [1].
Shooter Identified as Eight‑Year Border Patrol Veteran With Specialized Training The fatal shot was fired by a federal officer who has eight years of service in the U.S. Border Patrol and training as a range‑safety and less‑lethal‑force specialist [1][2]. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino confirmed the officer’s background and called the incident “the latest attack on law enforcement” [1][2]. The officer’s identity has not been released, but officials emphasized his extensive experience [1]. No evidence suggests the officer acted outside his training parameters [2].
DHS Says Defensive Shots Fired After Armed Man Resisted Disarmament Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that officers discharged “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached and violently resisted being disarmed [1][2]. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara added that the man possessed a lawful permit to carry the firearm [1][2]. Video evidence released after the incident shows the victim without a weapon, contradicting the claim of an armed threat [2]. DHS officials maintain the use of force was justified under the circumstances [1].
National Guard Mobilized and Trump Condemns Local Officials on Social Media Governor Tim Walz ordered Minnesota National Guard troops to the shooting site and a nearby federal building to support local police and help contain clashes [1][2]. President Trump posted images of the recovered firearm, accusing Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of failing to protect ICE officers and inciting insurrection [1][2]. His comments framed the incident as part of a broader political battle over immigration enforcement [2]. The shooting reignited debate over DHS funding, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer threatening to block a spending package that includes DHS resources [2].
Sources
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1.
King5: Federal Officer Kills ICU Nurse Amid Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown: reports the shooting of Alex Pretti, details the officer’s Border Patrol background, DHS defensive‑shot claim, National Guard deployment, and Trump’s social‑media attack on local officials .
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2.
AP: Federal Officer Kills Protester in Minneapolis Amid Immigration Crackdown: emphasizes Pretti’s family statement, the same DHS narrative, Guard assistance, Trump’s condemnation, and links the incident to a pending DHS funding showdown in Congress .
Timeline
Jan 7, 2026 – An ICE officer kills 37‑year‑old Renee Good in Minneapolis, igniting citywide protests against President Trump’s immigration crackdown and setting a volatile backdrop for later confrontations [1].
Jan 24, 2026 – A federal Border Patrol officer shoots 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti on Nicollet Avenue while he protests the immigration crackdown; by‑stander video shows Pretti holding a phone and no visible weapon, prompting immediate outrage and a memorial forming within hours [1][2].
Jan 24, 2026 – Governor Tim Walz orders the Minnesota National Guard to assist local police, deploying troops to the shooting site and a nearby federal building to help maintain order as protesters clash with federal officers wielding batons and flash‑bangs [1][2].
Jan 24, 2026 – DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin says officers fire “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun “violently resists” disarmament, while Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara notes the man holds a lawful permit to carry a gun [1][2].
Jan 24, 2026 – Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino identifies the shooter as an eight‑year veteran with specialized training as a range‑safety officer and in less‑lethal tactics, calling the incident “the latest attack on law enforcement” [1].
Jan 24, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts images of the recovered firearm on social media, accusing Governor Walz and the Minneapolis mayor of “inciting insurrection” and questioning why local police did not protect ICE officers, adding a national political dimension to the unrest [1][2].
Jan 24, 2026 – Hundreds of demonstrators gather in –6 °C weather, shouting profanities, using whistles, and confronting federal officers with batons and flash‑bangs; the protest mirrors the earlier Jan 7 demonstrations after Good’s killing [1][2].
Jan 24, 2026 – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announces Democrats will block a spending package that includes DHS funding, raising the risk of a partial government shutdown on Jan 30, 2026, as the immigration‑enforcement controversy intensifies [1].
Jan 30, 2026 – A partial federal government shutdown looms if Congress does not resolve the blocked DHS funding, a direct fallout of the Jan 7 and Jan 24 shootings and the ensuing political standoff [1].