Who was Alex Pretti, the nurse shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis?

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents during a law-enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Pretti worked at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and was described by family and colleagues as compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to helping others.

Federal authorities said agents opened fire after Pretti allegedly approached them with a firearm and resisted efforts to disarm him. However, witnesses and early video footage have raised questions about that account, with some suggesting he was holding a mobile phone and was not posing an immediate threat. The conflicting versions have intensified calls for transparency and an independent investigation.

Pretti was a U.S. citizen and a licensed nurse who had been working in healthcare for several years. His family said he believed strongly in justice and wanted to make a positive difference in the world, both through his profession and civic engagement.

The incident has sparked protests in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities, with demonstrators demanding accountability and reforms in federal law-enforcement operations. Civil rights groups and healthcare professionals have also expressed outrage, calling the killing a tragic loss of life and urging a full, transparent investigation.

Authorities have confirmed that multiple investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting. Until their completion, Alex Pretti’s death remains a highly sensitive and controversial case, highlighting national concerns over the use of force by federal agents and the protection of civilian lives.