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Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse at a VA hospital, was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday, his family said. Pretti, a U.S. citizen from Illinois, was known for his compassion, love for the outdoors, and concern over immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
Pretti had participated in protests following the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer. Family members said he never had a criminal record beyond minor traffic tickets and had a concealed carry permit, though they had never seen him carry a handgun in public.
The Department of Homeland Security said Pretti was shot after he “approached” officers with a 9 mm handgun, but family and bystander videos show him holding a phone and shielding a woman from pepper spray, with no visible weapon.
Neighbors described Pretti as quiet, warmhearted, and helpful, who enjoyed cycling and spending time with his dog. His parents expressed heartbreak and anger over top officials labeling him a “domestic terrorist,” calling the claims “reprehensible.”
Authorities have not provided detailed information, and the family continues to seek answers regarding the circumstances of his death.