The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office has officially categorized the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti as a ‘homicide’ following a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents.
On January 24, Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis during protests against the increased presence of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the area.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed that federal officers acted in self-defense, alleging that the 37-year-old intensive care nurse was armed with a handgun at the time of the encounter.
Contrary to official statements, video footage captured during the incident shows Pretti holding a mobile phone instead of a firearm, and eyewitness testimonies also dispute the authorities’ account.
On February 2, the results of an autopsy by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office were released, as reported by PEOPLE.
The autopsy determined that Pretti’s death resulted from ‘multiple gunshot wounds’ and was classified as ‘homicide’. The report confirmed that he was ‘shot by law enforcement officer(s)’.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintained that the shooting was an act of self-defense by the immigration agents.
At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, seen here.
The officers attempted to… pic.twitter.com/5Y50mYONGH
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 24, 2026
In a statement posted on X, DHS explained that officers were involved in ‘a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault’ when ‘an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a nine mm semi-automatic handgun’.
DHS alleged their actions were aimed at ‘disarming the suspect’ and said ‘the armed suspect violently resisted’.
“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene,” the statement concluded.
Nevertheless, video evidence contradicts this account.
The footage reveals that Pretti was holding a mobile phone, not a gun.
The video further shows an ICE agent pushing Pretti to the sidewalk. In another instance, Pretti is seen attempting to assist a woman who was pushed into a snowbank by another agent.
A witness later recounted: “The agents pulled the man on the ground. I didn’t see him touch any of them – he wasn’t even turned toward them. It didn’t look like he was trying to resist, just trying to help the woman up.”
Despite Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino’s claim that Pretti intended to ‘massacre law enforcement’, Pretti’s family has vehemently defended him against what they describe as ‘Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs’.
Pretti’s sister, Micayla, expressed: “Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth. He would be very proud.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.