Man killed by Border Patrol in Minneapolis was VA nurse: Family

(TNND) — The man fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday was an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital who was deeply troubled by federal immigration enforcement in the city, his family said to the Associated Press.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record who had participated in protests opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, according to relatives. His father, Michael Pretti, said his son believed immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis were unjust and harmful.

“He cared deeply about people and felt what was happening was wrong,” his father said.

This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal officer in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Michael Pretti via AP)

The Department of Homeland Security said Pretti was shot after he approached Border Patrol officers while carrying a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Officials did not say whether the weapon was brandished. Bystander videos reviewed by the Associated Press show Pretti holding what appears to be a cellphone, not a firearm, at the time of the shooting.

Family members confirmed Pretti owned a handgun and had a Minnesota permit to carry a concealed weapon, but said they had never known him to carry it publicly.

Pretti, who was born in Illinois, had no prior criminal history, according to court records cited by the Associated Press. His family said his only interactions with law enforcement had been minor traffic violations.

His parents, who live in Colorado, said they had recently urged him to be cautious while protesting.

The family said they learned of the shooting from an Associated Press reporter and struggled for hours to obtain information from authorities. They later confirmed his death through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. As of Saturday evening, they said no federal law enforcement agency had contacted them directly.

Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. After working as a research scientist, he returned to school to become a registered nurse and later worked in intensive care.

His ex-wife, Rachel N. Canoun, said Pretti had participated in protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd and was politically active but not physically confrontational.

“He felt injustice very strongly,” she said.

Neighbors described Pretti as quiet, helpful and kindhearted. While they knew he owned firearms and went to shooting ranges, several said they were surprised by suggestions he may have carried a handgun in public.

Pretti was an avid cyclist and outdoorsman and was deeply attached to his dog, according to family members. His mother said he was especially concerned about environmental policy rollbacks and immigration enforcement.

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