Trump Orders ICE Official to Depart After ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Shot by Agents
Updated (5 articles)
Shooting Occurs During ICE Protest in South Minneapolis On January 24, 2026, at approximately 9 a.m., federal immigration agents shot 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue while Minneapolis police responded to a reported shooting [1][2][3][4][5]. Pretti, a U.S. citizen and legal gun owner who worked at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead [2][4][5]. The incident unfolded amid daily demonstrations following the January 7 killing of immigrant activist Renee Good [1][3][5]. State officials linked the shooting to the broader Trump administration immigration crackdown [2][3].
Bystander Video Shows Pretti Intervening Without Weapon Multiple videos captured Pretti moving toward a woman being sprayed with an unknown chemical by agents, then being forced to the ground while holding only a phone [1][2][3][4]. The footage shows no firearm in his hands, contradicting DHS statements that he brandished a gun [1][2][3][4]. His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, assert he raised an empty left hand and never displayed a weapon [1][4]. Witnesses and family members describe his final act as protecting the woman, not threatening officers [2][5].
DHS Claims Pretti Was Armed and Violent, Offers No Proof The Department of Homeland Security alleged Pretti resisted disarmament with a handgun and assaulted agents, a claim echoed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem who said he impeded a law‑enforcement operation [1][2][3][4]. Noem did not present any video or forensic evidence of a weapon, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche called the released videos “unclear” [1]. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara demanded accountability and urged federal agencies to act with “discipline, humanity, and integrity” while investigations continue [2][3][4]. Lawmakers and community leaders have called for an independent investigation due to the lack of corroborating evidence [4].
Political Fallout Includes Trump Ordering ICE Official to Leave On January 28, President Donald Trump instructed Minneapolis ICE official Gregory Bovino to depart, signaling a possible shift in federal enforcement after the Pretti shooting [1]. Governor Tim Walz praised Pretti’s service and highlighted the incident as part of the administration’s aggressive immigration policies [1][2][3]. The order adds to mounting criticism of ICE operations in the Twin Cities, where three federal shootings have occurred within three weeks [4]. The development intensifies debate over federal presence and accountability in local protest zones [1].
Sources
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1.
BBC: ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Killed by ICE Agents; Family Denies Gun Claim – Details the Jan 24 shooting, family’s refutation of DHS gun narrative, video evidence, and Trump’s directive for an ICE official to leave .
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WBNS: Alex Pretti, ICU Nurse Killed by Federal Agents in Minneapolis – Reports the shooting timeline, parental statements, video showing Pretti’s intervention, and calls for federal accountability .
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King5: Alex Pretti, ICU nurse, killed by federal agents during Minneapolis protest – Highlights the protest context, video lacking a weapon, DHS claims, and city officials urging calm .
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King5: Alex Pretti Killed by Federal Agents in South Minneapolis – Emphasizes location, Pretti’s legal gun ownership, family’s denial of weapon, and pattern of recent federal shootings .
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5.
CNN: Alex Pretti, ICU Nurse Killed During ICE Protest, Remembered for Service – Focuses on Pretti’s veteran care work, legal firearm status, video analysis showing a gun removed before the shot, and parental condemnation of DHS narrative .
Timeline
Jan 7, 2026 – An ICE officer fatally shoots immigrant activist Renee Good in south Minneapolis, sparking daily protests across the Twin Cities and intensifying scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown [4].
Mid‑January 2026 – Federal agents wound protester Julio Cesar Sosa‑Celis in the leg during a separate Minneapolis demonstration, marking the third federal shooting in three weeks and heightening community anger [5].
Jan 24, 2026 – ICU nurse Alex Pretti intervenes to protect a woman being pepper‑sprayed by ICE agents; by‑stander video shows him filming, holding a phone, and being wrestled to the ground, with no weapon visible before agents fire ten shots, killing him [1][3][5].
Jan 24, 2026 – Minneapolis police arrive at ≈9:03 a.m., find Pretti with multiple gunshot wounds, transport him to Hennepin County Medical Center, and pronounce him dead shortly thereafter [3][4].
Jan 24, 2026 – Governor Tim Walz condemns the killing, linking it to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and urging restraint amid ongoing protests [3][4].
Jan 24, 2026 – Police Chief Brian O’Hara demands federal agencies operate with “discipline, humanity, and integrity,” and calls on demonstrators to remain peaceful while investigations proceed [3][4].
Jan 24, 2026 – The Department of Homeland Security alleges Pretti was armed and violent; Secretary Kristi Noem says he “impeded a law‑enforcement operation and assaulted our officers,” yet offers no evidence of a gun [3][5].
Jan 24, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche describes the released videos as “unclear,” fueling debate over the agency’s narrative [1].
Jan 24, 2026 – President Donald Trump orders top Minneapolis ICE official Gregory Bovino to leave the city, signaling a possible shift in federal enforcement tactics [1].
Jan 25, 2026 – Alex Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, issue a statement denouncing DHS claims as “sickening lies,” emphasizing his love of the outdoors, his opposition to environmental rollbacks, and his protective act toward the woman [1][2].
Jan 25, 2026 – Sister Micayla Pretti says her brother “touched more lives than he probably ever realized,” rejecting any terrorist label and highlighting his community service [1].
Jan 25, 2026 – Colleagues, including Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, post tributes on Bluesky describing Pretti as a “good, kind person who lived to help” and recalling his dedication to veterans’ care [2].
Jan 25, 2026 – Minneapolis police confirm Pretti held a valid firearm permit, had no felony or violent offenses, and possessed only minor traffic citations, contradicting DHS’s portrayal of him as a dangerous suspect [2].
Jan 25, 2026 – It is noted that Pretti began attending ICE protests after Good’s Jan 7 death, motivated by deep upset over ICE’s actions and a desire to protect his community [2].
Jan 25, 2026 – Several lawmakers call for an independent investigation into the Pretti shooting, demanding transparency and accountability from federal authorities [5].
Late January 2026 – Daily protests continue throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul, with community leaders urging peaceful demonstration while seeking answers to the recent federal shootings [4][5].
External resources (2 links)
- https://bit.ly/4qIBeET (cited 2 times)