The parents of the Minnesota man who was shot by Border Patrol agents on Saturday have identified him as their son, Alex Pretti, and they have given details to the press about Pretti’s life and work. The 37-year-old Pretti, was an intensive care nurse who worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to his parents, Pretti joined the protests against Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) after the death of Renee Good in early January.
The 37-year-old Minnesota resident, who was shot by federal authorities in Minneapolis Saturday morning, was identified as Alex Pretti, who worked as an ICU nurse. CBS News Minnesota reporter Jonah Kaplan reports Pretti worked for Veteran Affairs. pic.twitter.com/YP3Ag1E7ZM
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 24, 2026
Tragically, the family first learned that Pretti may have been shot when an Associated Press reporter contacted them. The man’s father, Michael Pretti, explained what activated his son to start protesting.
“He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.”
Read More: REPORT: ‘Border Patrol Involved’ Shooting in Minneapolis Leaves 1 Dead
Border Patrol Commander Bovino Provides Update on Fatal Border Patrol Shooting in Minneapolis
Pretti’s parents tried to give their son guidance surrounding his choice to protest the activity of Operation Metro Surge.
“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael Pretti said. “And he said he knows that. He knew that.”
[…]
Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.
On this Saturday when Pretti chose to protest, he conceal carried a 9mm Sig Sauer with two magazines of ammunition. As Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino revealed, Pretti did not have any form of ID on his person.
BREAKING: DHS tells @FoxNews the suspect was armed with a gun, which has been recovered by federal agents. pic.twitter.com/GLZJMdwIup
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 24, 2026
Dive Deeper: More Anti-ICE Chaos Ramping Up in MN: Attack on Agent With Gruesome Injury, National Guard Activated
As RedState has covered, the then-unidentified protester engaged with U.S. Border Patrol officers, obstructing them from their targeted operation to apprehend an illegal alien who was wanted for violent assault. When the officers attempted to disarm Pretti, he resisted and attempted to engage his weapon. According to Bovino, the officers feared for their lives and they shot Pretti, neutralizing the threat.
The family has taken issue with the characterization of their son given to the press by Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Bovino in his earlier conference, and by Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem in a separate conference.
The family issued this statement to CNN.
Statement from the family of Alex Pretti, Michael and Susan Pretti:
“We are heartbroken but also very angry.
Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA…
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 25, 2026
Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman.The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.
Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you”
This is a developing story. RedState will provide updates and additional details as they become available.
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