Fatal Shooting of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis On January 24, 2026, 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis [1][5][6][7]. Pretti was a U.S. citizen who held a concealed‑carry permit, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially claimed he approached agents with a 9 mm handgun and resisted disarmament [1][5][6]. Video released by multiple outlets shows Pretti standing in the roadway holding a cellphone, with no firearm visible in any angle [3][4][5][7]. The incident marks the second fatal shooting of a civilian by federal immigration agents in Minnesota within weeks [1][5].

Video Footage Shows No Visible Weapon, Challenges DHS Narrative By‑stander recordings captured Pretti filming the agents, being pepper‑sprayed, and then being pushed backward before any shots were fired, contradicting DHS statements that he was “brandishing” a gun [3][4][5][7]. Analysis by a Minnesota gun‑rights attorney suggested the first shot may have been a negligent discharge from the agent, and a CNN review showed an officer retrieving a firearm from Pretti’s waistband moments before the cascade of shots [3][7]. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed at least ten gunshots were heard, while DHS maintained the agents fired in self‑defence [3][4]. The discrepancy has fueled calls for an independent investigation and intensified public protests [4][5].

Federal Judge Blocks Evidence Tampering and State Lawsuit Seeks Restraint U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud issued a temporary restraining order on January 25, enjoining federal agencies from destroying or altering any evidence related to the shooting, covering the scene at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue [2]. Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension testified that its officers were barred from the site by DHS agents despite holding a search warrant, prompting the state to file a lawsuit demanding a permanent injunction [2][3][6][7]. The judge’s order specifically targets any removal or alteration of physical evidence, video, or forensic material [2]. This legal action underscores the contested jurisdiction between federal and state authorities over the investigation [2][6][7].

Trump Calls for Review, Bipartisan Lawmakers Demand Investigation President Donald Trump announced on January 26 that his administration is “reviewing everything” related to the Pretti shooting and hinted that federal agents would eventually be pulled out of Minneapolis, though no timeline was provided [1]. Republican officials such as Gov. Kevin Stitt and Sen. Bill Cassidy, alongside Democrats including Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Gov. Tim Walz, have called for a joint federal‑state probe or the removal of ICE agents from the state [1][2][4][6][7]. The NRA and Gun Owners of America rejected DHS’s portrayal of Pretti as a threat, urging a full investigation [4][7]. A GoFundMe campaign for Pretti’s family surpassed $600,000, reflecting widespread public support amid the controversy [2].