Silenced No More: The 'Redacted' Eyewitness Testimony from the Alex Pretti Incident

MINNEAPOLIS — On the morning of January 24, 2026, 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a dedicated intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, was fatally shot by United States Border Patrol agents during a federal enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. The killing has sparked national outrage, conflicting official accounts, and an outpouring of testimony from local witnesses and healthcare workers that challenges the government’s version of events.

Who Was Alex Pretti?

Pretti was known by friends, family, and colleagues as a compassionate caregiver and advocate for veterans. A graduate of the University of Minnesota nursing program, he began working in the VA’s ICU in 2021 and earned respect for his bedside manner and dedication to patient care.

An avid outdoorsman and loyal friend, Pretti maintained close relationships with coworkers and students. In testimonials shared on social platforms by nurses and physicians who knew him, he is remembered as a mentor who taught clinical skills with patience and an unwavering commitment to healing.

The Incident: Conflicting Accounts

According to federal authorities, Border Patrol agents shot Pretti during an operation tied to Operation Metro Surge, a controversial immigration enforcement initiative. The Department of Homeland Security initially described Pretti as a “violent gunman” who approached agents with a handgun and resisted when they attempted to disarm him.

However, bystander video footage and witness statements tell a very different story:

• Witness and video accounts show Pretti holding only a mobile phone in his hand moments before the shooting — not a drawn firearm. Federal agents can be seen engaging with protesters, after which Pretti appears to walk toward the scene, possibly to assist or document the interaction on his phone.

• Local court filings and statements by medical and civilian observers reported to federal court contradict the government’s claims that Pretti brandished a weapon. These witnesses describe him as unarmed and non-threatening at the time he was confronted.

• Multiple online eyewitness accounts corroborate that he was attempting to help a woman who had been shoved to the ground by federal agents, not acting aggressively toward law enforcement.

What Video Footage Shows

Several bystander video clips, verified by journalists, reveal a chaotic street confrontation. Pretti appears unarmed and is pepper-sprayed by agents as he moves toward a civilian. During the struggle, at least one agent appears to remove a firearm from his holster or waistband before any shots are fired. Shortly thereafter, multiple rounds ring out, striking Pretti.

Minnesota Police Chief Brian O’Hara later confirmed that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry a concealed weapon, but there is no evidence in the footage that he drew, presented, or aimed the weapon before being shot.

Healthcare Workers and Community Reaction

Healthcare professionals across the country have publicly mourned Pretti, holding vigils and rallies at VA hospitals in Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland, and beyond. Nurses and veterans alike have expressed deep sorrow and frustration, emphasizing his dedication to service and condemning the violence that led to his death.

Professional nursing organizations have issued statements of concern, decrying the killing of a civilian healthcare provider and urging accountability and transparency in the investigation.

Family Denounces Official Claims

In a public statement, Pretti’s sister, Micayla Pretti, rebuked government narratives labeling her brother a threat. She described the spread of misleading claims about him as “disgusting lies” and emphasized that video evidence conflicts with official accounts. The family’s statement also highlighted that Pretti was unarmed in the moments before he was shot and was trying to help others.

Political and National Response

The shooting has ignited a wave of political responses. Congressional leaders, professional advocacy groups, and public figures have called for independent investigations. Former President Joe Biden strongly criticized the incident, framing it as an attack on constitutional values and calling for transparency in federal law enforcement actions.

Final Thoughts

The death of Alex Pretti has become a focal point in the national conversation about federal law enforcement, civil liberties, and public safety. The stark differences between official statements and local witness accounts — bolstered by video evidence — underscore the urgent need for a thorough and impartial inquiry.

Beyond the political and legal debate, Pretti is remembered most poignantly by those who knew him for his compassion, his service to veterans, and his dedication to care. For many, his final moments reflect not violence or threat, but a human act of presence in crisis — a nurse instinctively moving toward help, not harm.