The parents of Alex Pretti have spoken publicly about who their son was before he was killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24, offering a portrait that contrasts sharply with official descriptions of the encounter.
Pretti, 37, was an ICU nurse who worked with military veterans. The Department of Homeland Security said he was shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer during what it described as a “targeted operation” involving a suspect wanted for violent assault. In a statement issued that day, DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Pretti approached officers while armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” efforts to disarm him.
Since that statement, multiple bystander videos and witness accounts have emerged that challenge key elements of the DHS narrative. Several recordings appear to show Pretti holding a phone, not a firearm, in the moments before he was shot.
In interviews with the Associated Press, Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan, described their final conversations with their son. Just days before his death, they spoke about ordinary matters, including repairs to his garage door. They recalled that Pretti tipped the repair worker generously, telling them he felt compelled to show kindness given the tension unfolding in Minneapolis.
The parents said they were aware Pretti planned to attend protests related to federal immigration activity and had urged him to be cautious.
“We had this discussion with him,” his father said. “Go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything reckless. And he said he understood.”
The family confirmed Pretti’s death through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner after struggling to obtain information from authorities. In a statement released afterward, they described their son as a “kindhearted soul” and rejected the DHS account, saying it did not reflect what the available evidence shows.
Witness affidavits submitted to court provide additional detail about the moments leading up to the shooting. One witness, a woman driving nearby, said Pretti helped direct traffic amid the confusion and was filming the scene on his phone. She stated that he raised his hands as agents deployed pepper spray and attempted to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground.
Another witness, a licensed pediatrician, said he tried to render medical aid after Pretti was shot. According to his affidavit, he identified himself as a physician but was initially prevented from assisting while agents asked for credentials. When he was finally allowed to assess Pretti, he said he did not observe agents checking for a pulse or administering CPR. He began resuscitation efforts until emergency medical services arrived.
Authorities later confirmed that Pretti sustained multiple gunshot wounds fired in rapid succession.
As investigations continue, Pretti’s parents have asked that public discussion reflect verified facts and the reality of who their son was. They described him as someone who believed in fairness, showed up for others, and wanted to make a positive difference.
For them, the central issue remains unchanged: that the story of Alex Pretti should be told truthfully, grounded in evidence, and guided by accountability rather than assumption.
