MINNEAPOLIS (PulseWire) — Family members have identified the man killed by federal officers in Minneapolis on Saturday as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration. Known for his compassion, Pretti was disheartened by President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and engaged in protests reflecting his deep concern for others.
Pretti, who described himself as an avid adventurer alongside his late dog Joule, had recently participated in demonstrations following the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer earlier this month.
He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, said Michael Pretti, Alex's father. He felt that protesting was a way to express his care for others.
A U.S. citizen born in Illinois, Pretti had no criminal record, according to court documents, and his family noted that he had had only minor interactions with law enforcement in the past.
In conversations before his death, his parents advised him to exercise caution while protesting. We told him to go ahead and protest, but not to engage or do anything reckless, Michael Pretti recalled.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Pretti was shot after he allegedly approached U.S. Border Patrol officers while carrying a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. However, it remains unclear whether he brandished the gun, as it wasn't visible in bystander footage of the incident.
While family members confirmed that Pretti owned a handgun and possessed a permit to carry it in Minnesota, they indicated they were unaware of him habitually carrying the weapon.
The tragedy struck when the family first learned about Alex's shooting from an Associated Press reporter. After trying unsuccessfully to gather information from local law enforcement and hospitals, they eventually contacted the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who confirmed the death of their son.
As investigations into the shooting continue, the community mourns a local hero devoted to caring for others in need.
