MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Family members have confirmed that the man shot and killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis over the weekend was Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration. A resident of the city, Pretti was known for his compassion and commitment to caring for others, which was particularly evident in his response to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Described as an avid outdoorsman, Pretti enjoyed adventures with his Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule, who had recently passed away. Earlier this month, he publicly protested the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, firmly aligning himself with movements against immigration enforcement in his community.
“He cared deeply about people and was very upset by the events surrounding ICE activities in Minneapolis and the nation,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “Participating in protests was his way of showing that care.”
Born in Illinois, Pretti was a U.S. citizen with no prior criminal record, and according to his family, he had limited interactions with law enforcement. Concerned for their son’s safety, his parents had advised him about potential dangers of protesting just weeks before the occurrence, emphasizing the importance of peaceful demonstration.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the shooting occurred after Pretti “approached” U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. However, it remains unclear whether he brandished the firearm, as no visible evidence of this was noted in bystander videos from the scene.
Despite being a handgun owner with a concealed carry permit in Minnesota, family members expressed that they were unaware of him regularly carrying his weapon. They received notification of his death through an Associated Press reporter after viewing a video that seemed to depict their son being shot, prompting them to seek official confirmation.
“No one seemed able to provide us with any information,” shared Michael Pretti. “We were told to contact the Border Patrol, but they were unavailable, and hospitals wouldn’t respond to our inquiries.”
After reaching out to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, they received confirmation regarding their son's tragic fate.
