Federal Agents Kill Man, 37, in Minneapolis
A still image from bystander video shows the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in south Minneapolis on Jan. 24, 2026.
Alex Pretti, 37, who was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A 37-year-old man has died after being shot by federal agents Saturday morning in south Minneapolis, multiple sources confirm.
The incident is the third shooting involving federal immigration officers in the city in less than three weeks.
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The shooting happened near the intersection of Nicollet Avenue & East 26th Street, where witnesses reported seeing federal agents struggling with a man before shots were fired. First responders began CPR at the scene and the man was transported to a hospital, where he later died, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
Initial radio traffic indicated the man suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.
The Department of Homeland Security said the man was armed and agents recovered his gun, but additional video from the scene appears to show an agent had disarmed the man before shots were fired by multiple agents.
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Minneapolis police officers were dispatched to the scene and as of around 11:20 a.m., they were working to keep a growing crowd separated from federal agents as tensions escalated. More than 100 people have gathered in the area as word of the shooting spread, with protesters yelling at agents and blocking streets using dumpsters and restaurant patio furniture.
The Minnesota State Patrol was called in to assist with crowd control as officials urged the public to avoid the area and remain calm. At least one flash-bang was deployed and tear gas was used to push protesters back as the scene remained secured with police tape.
O’Hara ordered Minneapolis officers to preserve the scene and confirmed the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was en route to investigate. All available Minneapolis police officers were called into work except for those assigned to the overnight shift. Scheduled vacation days were reportedly canceled.
The shooting comes just blocks from where federal agents killed 37-year-old Renée Good on Jan. 7 during an immigration enforcement operation. In that case, an agent fired multiple shots at Good while she was inside her vehicle. Her death sparked protests and widespread scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics in Minneapolis.
Just after the killing of Alex Pretti in south Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. via Bystander Video
About a week later, on Jan. 14, a second shooting occurred in north Minneapolis when a federal immigration officer shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during an operation that involved a vehicle pursuit and a physical confrontation. Authorities said the man survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
Saturday’s shooting came one day after a large, coordinated “Day of Action” in Minneapolis, where tens of thousands marched downtown and at other sites to protest the expanded federal immigration enforcement presence and recent use-of-force incidents involving federal agents.
Governor Tim Walz said he has spoken with the White House following the shooting. Authorities have not said whether any body-worn camera footage exists or when more information will be released.
UPDATE: The man killed has been identified as Alex Pretti, 37, who was an ICU nurse at the VA hospital in Minneapolis. Family members and friends say federal officials are maligning him as a “domestic terrorist,” that he was recording agents with his cell phone and that an agent had disarmed him of his pistol before Pretti was shot multiple times as he was on the ground.
PREVIOUSLY: BCA Gives New Details After ICE Agent Shoots Man in North Minneapolis
PREVIOUSLY: ‘Day of Action’ Brings 50K Protesters to Downtown Minneapolis
PREVIOUSLY: Police Chiefs Warn ICE Stops Are Sweeping Up U.S. Citizens
PREVIOUSLY: Woman Fatally Shot During ICE Operation in South Minneapolis
PHOTOS: ICE Protest Draws Thousands to Powderhorn Park
