MINNEAPOLIS – Family members are mourning the tragic loss of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration, who was shot by a federal officer during a protest in Minneapolis. Known for his compassion and dedication to care, Pretti’s death has stirred emotions in a city already on edge due to recent immigration enforcement issues.
Pretti, an avid lover of the outdoors, had been actively protesting against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices, particularly following the death of another protester, Renee Good. His father, Michael Pretti, expressed that his son was upset about the immigration crackdown in the U.S. and felt strongly about engaging in protests.
“He cared about people deeply,” said Michael. “He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express his care for others.” Although he held a permit to carry a concealed handgun, family members assert he had never previously carried it during protests.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed that Pretti approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a handgun, but details remain unclear as bystander footage does not depict him brandishing the weapon. Following the incident, the family struggled to gather information, initially hearing the news from an Associated Press reporter.
Finally, after a series of inquiries, they learned from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner that their worst fears had been confirmed – Alex Pretti was deceased.
This incident has underscored the growing concerns over police interactions during protests in the context of immigration policies, reflecting wider national tensions and divided sentiments among the community.
