Minneapolis is Grieving Again: The Tragedy of Alex Pretti

By Yunielis Vargas

1/28/25

On January 24, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot and killed by ICE agents. Just weeks earlier, the city was already grieving the death of Renee Good, a 37 year old mother who was fatally shot by ICE on January 7th, 2026. 

Alex was not who some officials and people online tried to make him out to be. He was a nurse who worked at the VA hospital, caring for veterans. He was an outdoorsman who loved biking, hiking, and spending time with his dog, Joule. His family says he cared deeply about people and about what was happening in Minneapolis and across the country as immigration enforcement intensified.

“He thought it was wrong,” his father said. “He cared about those people.”

Pretti was attending protests following Renee Good’s killing, acting as what Minnesota’s governor later described as a First Amendment witness. Videos from the scene show him filming agents with his phone and stepping in when another person was pushed to the ground. He was pepper sprayed, tackled, and restrained. Footage reviewed by journalists shows he was not a threat to the ICE agents at all, with no weapon being drawn.

Federal officials later claimed agents fired in “self defense” and alleged Pretti had a handgun. His family and witnesses strongly disagree with their stories. While Pretti legally owned a firearm and had a permit, witnesses nearby say he was holding his phone, not a gun. 

Shown above: ICE charging at Pretti, violently forcing him to the ground.

What makes this even harder for his family is how they learned about his death. They did not hear about his death from authorities, but from a reporter. Hours passed with no clear information, no explanation, but only public statements labeling their son a “domestic terrorist.” 

Alex Pretti had no criminal record. He grew up in Wisconsin, was a Boy Scout, sang in choir, studied environmental science, and eventually became a nurse because he wanted to help people. Neighbors described him as quiet, kind, and always willing to step in if something seemed wrong.

This tragedy showed ICE is not just hurting those who pose to them as a threat— but hurting those who act through amendments, and it is concerning. Alex Pretti was a nurse who loved those around him, hurt no one, and wanted the best for everyone. He spoke out for those being hurt around him, and ending up losing his life.

This isn’t “politics” anymore. This is about our rights and speaking up for each other. 

Right now, Minneapolis isn’t just asking what happened. It’s asking why this keeps happening, and how many lives are being changed forever in the process.

Sources:

• AP World News