Federal Agents EXECUTE Nurse — Video DESTROYS Official Story

Federal agents shot an ICU nurse ten times while he was pinned to the ground during a Minneapolis immigration enforcement operation, and video evidence directly contradicts the government’s claim he posed an armed threat.

Story Snapshot

Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old VA nurse and licensed gun carrier, after tackling him during protests against immigration enforcement on January 24, 2026
Bystander videos reviewed by major news outlets show Pretti holding only a cell phone, with an agent removing a handgun from the scuffle less than one second before another agent opened fire
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the incident “domestic terrorism” and claimed Pretti approached armed, contradicting video evidence witnesses captured at the scene
Federal authorities blocked Minneapolis police from investigating despite a warrant, deploying FBI armored vehicles and refusing state access to the crime scene
This marks the second fatal federal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis within three weeks during Trump administration immigration operations

Federal Narrative Contradicts Video Evidence

Alex Pretti died at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, after Border Patrol agents fired at least ten shots into him while approximately six agents held him down. Federal officials immediately claimed Pretti approached with a handgun and resisted disarmament, characterizing the incident as self-defense during lawful immigration enforcement. However, bystander videos independently analyzed by Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Guardian show Pretti filming agents with his cell phone and directing traffic before being pepper-sprayed and tackled. Frame-by-frame analysis reveals an agent pulling a handgun from the scuffle less than one second before shots were fired.

Licensed Carrier Shot Without Brandishing Weapon

Pretti possessed a valid Minnesota handgun permit and was legally carrying at the time of the encounter, with two magazines recovered at the scene. Minnesota law permits open carry for licensed individuals, making his possession lawful regardless of the protest context. No video evidence shows Pretti drawing, brandishing, or threatening agents with the firearm. Agents yelled about a gun approximately eight seconds after pinning him to the ground, and within five seconds of that announcement, multiple shots rang out. This timeline raises serious questions about whether Pretti ever posed an imminent threat justifying deadly force, particularly given that he was already subdued by multiple agents when killed.

Federal Overreach Blocks Independent Investigation

Department of Homeland Security officials prevented Minneapolis police and Minnesota state investigators from accessing the crime scene despite a valid warrant, deploying FBI armored vehicles to secure the perimeter. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara publicly criticized this federal blockage, stating it undermines proper investigative processes. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty demanded local access to conduct an independent probe, while the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension sought entry for a state-led investigation. This federal obstruction appears designed to control the narrative and prevent accountability, particularly troubling given the stark contradiction between official statements and video evidence. Senator Thom Tillis demanded transparency and cooperation across federal, state, and local jurisdictions, yet federal authorities continue restricting access.

Pattern of Deadly Force During Immigration Operations

The Pretti shooting represents the second fatal federal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis within three weeks, following the January 7, 2026, killing of Renée Good during similar immigration enforcement protests. Pretti had participated in protests following Good’s death and was warned by family members to avoid further engagement with federal agents. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem characterized Pretti’s actions as “domestic terrorism” and claimed he intended a “massacre,” inflammatory language unsupported by video evidence showing a man filming with his phone. Attorney General Pam Bondi blamed Minneapolis’s sanctuary city policies for creating conditions leading to the shooting, deflecting from questions about federal use-of-force protocols and agent accountability during enforcement operations in American cities.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz disputed the federal narrative as premature “spinning” before any independent investigation could verify facts. The stark divide between federal officials defending their agents and local authorities demanding transparency reflects deeper tensions over immigration enforcement tactics in sanctuary jurisdictions. The Justice Department launched a federal investigation on January 25, but the credibility of any internal review remains questionable given DHS’s immediate characterization of the incident and denial of outside investigative access. This incident underscores concerns about federal overreach and accountability when armed agents operate in American communities during politically charged enforcement operations, particularly when video evidence contradicts official justifications for lethal force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights.