U.S. Border Patrol officer fatally shoots ICU nurse during Minneapolis incident, family says

MINNEAPOLIS (JN) – The man shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis over the weekend was a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital and had previously participated in protests against federal immigration enforcement, according to his family.

Relatives identified the man as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen born in Illinois, describing him as a healthcare professional deeply committed to public service and troubled by the impact of immigration policies in his city. Federal authorities say the shooting occurred after Pretti approached officers while armed, a claim his family says remains unproven by available video footage.

The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of the use of force by federal law enforcement officers operating inside U.S. cities, as well as concerns from the family about the lack of official communication following the shooting.

Family says victim was nurse with no criminal history

According to family members, Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at a VA hospital and was known for long shifts caring for critically ill patients. Court records reviewed by the Associated Press showed no criminal history, and his family said he had never been arrested or detained by police, aside from minor traffic violations.

Pretti’s father, Michael Pretti, said his son was motivated by concern for others and by what he viewed as the human impact of federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

“He cared about people deeply,” his father said, adding that Pretti believed certain immigration practices were unjust and harmful. Family members said he had joined protests following the January killing of Renee Good, who died after an encounter with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

Pretti’s parents, who live in Colorado, said they had recently urged their son to be cautious while protesting, advising him to avoid confrontation. They said he acknowledged their concerns and understood the risks.

Federal officials cite firearm; videos show phone in hand

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that Pretti was shot after he “approached” Border Patrol officers while carrying a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Officials did not specify whether the weapon was pointed or brandished at the time of the shooting.

Videos taken by bystanders and circulated online show Pretti holding what appears to be a cellphone, but none of the footage reviewed by the family or the AP clearly shows a firearm in his hand at the moment he was shot.

Family members confirmed that Pretti legally owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Minnesota. They said they were unaware of him ever carrying the weapon in public and described him as cautious and responsible with firearms.

Family says officials slow to provide information

The family said they first learned of the shooting through an Associated Press reporter who contacted them for comment. After viewing video footage, they believed the man shown was their son and attempted to contact authorities in Minnesota for confirmation.

Michael Pretti said repeated calls to local police, federal agencies and hospitals did not yield information. The family eventually contacted the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, which they said confirmed that a body matching their son’s name and description was in custody.

As of Saturday evening, the family said no federal law enforcement agency had formally notified them of Pretti’s death or provided details about the circumstances of the shooting.

The lack of official outreach, they said, compounded their distress and left critical questions unanswered during the first hours after the incident.

Background in science, service and public protest

Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he attended Preble High School and participated in football, baseball and track. He was a Boy Scout and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir, according to his family.

He later attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and the environment. After working as a research scientist, he returned to school to pursue nursing and ultimately became a registered nurse specializing in intensive care.

An ex-wife, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, said Pretti had been politically engaged for years and was not surprised to learn he had been protesting immigration policies. She described him as outspoken at demonstrations but said she had never known him to be physically aggressive.

She also said Pretti obtained a permit to carry a concealed firearm several years ago and owned at least one semiautomatic handgun at the time of their separation.

Neighbors describe quiet, helpful presence

Pretti lived alone in a four-unit condominium building about two miles from the site of the shooting. Neighbors described him as reserved but warm, often stepping in to help when issues arose in the building.

Sue Gitar, who lived in the unit below him, said Pretti was known for checking on neighbors and assisting during emergencies, such as concerns about a possible gas leak.

“He has a great heart,” she said.

While neighbors knew Pretti owned firearms and occasionally went to shooting ranges, several said they were surprised by the suggestion that he might have been carrying a handgun on the street at the time of his death.

Deep attachment to outdoors and environment

Family members said Pretti was an avid outdoorsman and competitive cyclist who spent much of his free time hiking and biking, often accompanied by his dog, Joule, a Catahoula Leopard dog that died about a year ago.

His mother, Susan Pretti, said her son was deeply concerned about environmental policy and the long-term effects of deregulation on public lands and natural resources.

“He loved this country,” she said, “but he hated what people were doing to it.”

In what his parents described as a reflection of his values, Pretti recently tipped a Latino worker $100 after the man repaired his garage door, an act they said was motivated by empathy amid heightened immigration enforcement activity in the city.

Investigation continues amid broader scrutiny

Federal authorities have not released further details about the shooting or whether the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure in many law enforcement use-of-force cases.

The incident comes at a time of heightened national attention on federal policing, immigration enforcement, and the rules governing use of lethal force. Civil rights groups and community advocates have called for transparency and independent review in cases involving fatal encounters with law enforcement.

For Pretti’s family, the immediate focus remains on understanding what happened and why.

“We just want answers,” his father said.