Twin Cities Tragedy

The Alex Pretti Shooting: What We Know So Far

A civilian steps into chaos during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis—and ends up dead. Here's a breakdown of the events, evidence, and why opinions are so divided. (Updated as of late January 2026)

The Incident at a Glance

On January 24, 2026, around 9:05 a.m. CST, 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti—a U.S. citizen and intensive care nurse at a Minneapolis VA hospital—was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood.

This occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale immigration enforcement effort by DHS/ICE/CBP that began in December 2025. The operation targeted the Twin Cities area (later expanding statewide), leading to thousands of arrests but also protests, lawsuits from Minnesota officials alleging unconstitutional tactics, and two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in January (Pretti being the second).

What the Video Evidence Shows

Multiple bystander videos (verified by outlets like The New York Times, ABC News, CNN, and The Guardian) provide the clearest record:

• Pretti was legally carrying a concealed SIG Sauer P320 handgun (Minnesota permit confirmed; no criminal record beyond minor traffic issues).
• He was filming federal agents with his phone and appeared to be waving cars away or approaching to assist during a confrontation (possibly involving a woman being shoved or pepper-sprayed).
• Agents tackled him to the ground.
• Video shows an agent removing the handgun from Pretti's waistband/holster.
• Shots were fired shortly after—approximately 10 rounds in under 5 seconds (per forensic audio analysis in ABC News reporting), with many striking Pretti while he was pinned (including shots to the back).
• Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene; agents did not immediately render aid according to some witness accounts.

Key point: Pretti was holding a phone (not a gun) before being tackled, and the firearm was already in an agent's possession when shooting began. This contradicts initial DHS statements claiming he "approached agents with a handgun" and violently resisted disarming.

The Two Main Narratives

Perspective	Description
Supporters / Family / Witnesses	Pretti acted as a concerned citizen and trained nurse (ICU "triage" mindset). He was documenting for accountability and trying to help bystanders or de-escalate in a chaotic residential area. Being disarmed and still shot multiple times raises questions of excessive force or panic.
Law Enforcement / Initial DHS Account	An armed civilian inserted himself into a high-risk federal operation (no authority to direct traffic or intervene). His presence created a threat/distraction; agents perceived danger during disarming. Early statements labeled him a potential "domestic terrorist" or "would-be assassin" intent on harming officers.

The administration later softened its language (e.g., White House emphasizing "let the facts lead"), with leadership changes including sidelining the local Border Patrol commander and deploying border czar Tom Homan to oversee.

The "Fatal Error" Theory

A leading explanation (discussed in expert analyses and some media reports) involves the SIG P320:

• The model has faced ongoing lawsuits and criticism for "unintentional discharges" (firing without deliberate trigger pull, e.g., when jarred or manipulated; cases include injuries to officers/civilians and multimillion-dollar verdicts).
• Theory: As the agent handled/rose with Pretti's confiscated P320, it may have discharged accidentally (possibly into the ground).
• In the high-stress "surge" environment—agents dealing with protests and perceived threats—this could have triggered "contagious shooting," where others fired instinctively, believing they were under attack (despite Pretti being disarmed/pinned).

This remains unconfirmed (body-cam footage under review; DHS preserving evidence amid lawsuits). No official forensic report has finalized the cause.

Why It's So Polarizing

Both sides contain elements of truth:

• Pretti had no role intervening in federal ops—staying back might have prevented tragedy.
• Yet multiple shots after disarming (while restrained) prompts questions about proportionality, training, equipment reliability, and escalation in tense raids.

Ongoing developments include:

• Family/wrongful death elements in related legal actions.
• State/city lawsuits seeking to end Operation Metro Surge (deemed unconstitutional by plaintiffs).
• Bipartisan calls (some Republicans included) for independent probes beyond internal reviews.
• Protests, vigils, and a GoFundMe for Pretti's family exceeding $1 million.

This summary draws from verified video timelines (NYT, ABC), witness affidavits (Guardian), official statements, and court filings. Investigations continue—body-cam releases and forensics may clarify more. The tragedy underscores risks when civilian instincts meet rigid enforcement in charged environments.