On a frigid Saturday morning in Minneapolis, the city’s simmering tensions around immigration enforcement reached a tragic crescendo. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse known for his compassion and dedication at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was fatally shot by two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on January 24, 2026. The incident, which unfolded during a chaotic street scuffle, has since ignited protests, fueled a national debate, and triggered a cascade of political and community responses that continue to reverberate across Minnesota and the United States.
According to a preliminary Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report sent to Congress and cited by CBS News, two CBP officers discharged their weapons during a struggle with Pretti. Notably, the report did not mention Pretti reaching for his legally owned firearm. In fact, slowed-down video analysis by BBC Verify confirmed that while a gun was visible in Pretti’s waistband, there was no sign of it in his hand at the time of the shooting. A CBP agent was heard shouting, “He’s got a gun!” moments before shots rang out, but the report clarified that another agent had already secured Pretti’s firearm in a government vehicle.
These revelations directly contradicted initial official accounts, including those from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who had accused Pretti of “domestic terrorism” and “brandishing” a gun. The discrepancy between the administration’s narrative and the emerging facts has only intensified calls for accountability. As reported by the BBC and CBS News, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are now demanding Noem’s removal, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stating, “Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.”
The agents involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, a standard protocol in such cases, though the timing of their removal from duty remains unclear. This action came after Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino initially told reporters the agents were still working, albeit in a different city for their safety—an assertion later contradicted by federal law enforcement sources.
The fatal encounter with Pretti was not his first run-in with federal agents. Just eleven days prior, on January 13, a video surfaced showing Pretti confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on a Minneapolis street. The footage, verified by both CBS News and BBC News, captured Pretti kicking the taillight of a government SUV before being tackled and injured by agents, reportedly without receiving medical care. Steve Schleicher, the Pretti family’s attorney, condemned the earlier incident, stating, “A week before Alex was gunned down in the street—despite posing no threat to anyone—he was violently assaulted by a group of ICE agents. Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan 24.”
Community outrage was swift and widespread. Protests erupted in Minnesota and across the country, with activists organizing sit-ins at Target stores and memorial rides in Pretti’s honor. Over 60 Minnesota-based CEOs, including incoming Target CEO Michael Fiddelke, signed an open letter calling for de-escalation of violence. The League of United and Latin American Citizens (LULAC) joined the NAACP in demanding an independent, transparent investigation into the incident and federal immigration practices in general, citing “an escalation of tactics that resulted in the loss of life, fear in neighborhoods and deep divisions.”
Pretti’s death also drew attention from cultural icons. Bruce Springsteen released a song titled “Streets of Minneapolis,” dedicated to Pretti and Renee Good—another Minneapolis resident killed by an ICE officer earlier in January. The song, written and recorded in the days following Pretti’s death, resonated with many in the city and beyond, capturing the anguish and resilience of a community under siege.
Political leaders at every level have been drawn into the fray. President Donald Trump, while publicly stating his intent to “de-escalate” in Minneapolis, escalated a war of words with local officials. Mayor Jacob Frey reiterated the city’s commitment to sanctuary policies, announcing, “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws.” Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, “Could somebody in his inner sanctum please explain that this statement is a very serious violation of the Law, and that he is PLAYING WITH FIRE!”
Governor Tim Walz and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her both met with border czar Tom Homan, dispatched by Trump to oversee federal operations in Minnesota. Walz pressed for a “swift, significant reduction in the number of federal forces in Minnesota, and an end to the campaign of retribution against Minnesota,” while Her emphasized the essential role of immigrants and refugees in the community. Homan, in a news conference, acknowledged “a lot of progress” but stated he would remain “till the problem’s gone.”
The surge of federal immigration enforcement, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, has led to the arrest of more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota since December 1, 2025. DHS touted the operation as its largest to date, but critics argue it has brought “chaos and violence” to local communities. Nearly 100 Twin Cities food shelves and numerous educators have reported increased fear and anxiety, with some students opting for virtual learning to avoid ICE activity near schools.
The legal system has also weighed in. On January 28, a federal judge ordered the release of refugees arrested by immigration agents in Minnesota and mandated their return to the state, emphasizing that “refugees are not committing crimes on our streets, nor did they illegally cross the border,” and calling the U.S. “a haven of individual liberties.” Judge Patrick Schiltz, chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Minnesota, ordered the acting head of ICE to appear in court to explain alleged violations of court orders related to immigrant detentions.
For those who knew Alex Pretti, the personal loss is immeasurable. His sister, Micayla Pretti, wrote, “Alex was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into. He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe. But most importantly, he was my brother. When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?”
As Minneapolis and the nation grapple with the aftermath of Pretti’s death, the calls for transparency, accountability, and reform grow louder. The events have not only exposed deep divisions over immigration enforcement but also highlighted the profound human cost of political and policy decisions. The names of Alex Pretti and Renee Good now echo through the streets of Minneapolis, symbols of both tragedy and the enduring fight for justice in uncertain times.