Here’s a real‑deal, SEO‑friendly English news article based on verified reporting about the shooting of Alex Pretti — updated to reflect facts and context from multiple credible sources, not the fictional association with Brian Leetch (there’s no credible reporting that Pretti is related to Leetch at this time):
Minneapolis in Mourning After Fatal Shooting of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti by Federal Agents
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis is grappling with shock and outrage following the fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old intensive care nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation on January 24, 2026, thrusting the city into fresh debate over use of force by federal authorities and accountability in law enforcement actions.
Pretti, a dedicated ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was shot and killed on a busy Saturday morning in downtown Minneapolis. According to multiple sources, including local law enforcement and numerous videos circulating online, Pretti was involved in protests against an aggressive federal immigration enforcement effort known as “Operation Metro Surge,” which has deployed thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents across Minnesota this month. (People.com)
Authorities alleged Pretti approached a group of federal agents with a handgun, but witness footage and family accounts sharply contradict that narrative. Bystander video verified by The New York Times shows Pretti holding only a phone with one hand raised while officers sprayed pepper spray at nearby protesters, then wrestled him to the ground. Moments later, multiple shots were fired by a Border Patrol agent. (People.com)
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit and had no significant criminal record outside a few minor traffic violations. Still, the video evidence and accounts from bystanders have sparked widespread disbelief of federal claims. (AP News)
Pretti’s family and supporters have forcefully rejected the official narrative, calling statements by the Department of Homeland Security “sickening lies” and pointing to video that appears to show him attempting to protect another protestor from being pepper‑sprayed. His parents described him as a compassionate caregiver and community member whose final actions reflected his lifelong commitment to helping others. (theguardian.com)
Friends, colleagues, and neighbors remember Pretti as warm‑hearted and devoted. He earned his nursing degree from the University of Minnesota, worked as a research scientist before transitioning to nursing, and spent years caring for veterans at the VA hospital. Those who knew him describe him as an outdoors enthusiast, a loyal friend, and someone who genuinely cared for the people around him. (KSAT)
The circumstances of Pretti’s death have deepened public outrage. Hundreds gathered in Minneapolis to mourn, lay flowers, light candles, and demand transparency and justice in federal use of force. A makeshift vigil at the site of the shooting became a focal point for grief and protest, with community members and activists calling for federal agents to leave Minnesota. (National labor organizations, including the AFL‑CIO, have condemned the operation and urged ICE to withdraw its agents to prevent further violence. Union leaders and Minnesota officials have called for an independent investigation into the shooting and accountability for those involved. (Business Insider)
Meanwhile, the political fallout continues to escalate. President Trump and senior administration officials have defended the actions of federal agents, with remarks framing the operation as necessary law enforcement. Critics argue the portrayal of Pretti as a threat stands in stark contrast to the evidence and undermines public trust. State leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have accused the administration of spreading misinformation and obstructing transparency in the investigation. (theguardian.com)
Civil liberties organizations, such as the ACLU, have filed legal challenges against DHS actions in Minneapolis, citing patterns of excessive force and a lack of oversight. The case of Pretti, marked by graphic video evidence and conflicting official accounts, has become a flashpoint in the broader national conversation about federal immigration enforcement, policing powers, and the rights of peaceful protestors.
In the days since the shooting, online fundraising efforts for Pretti’s family have surged, with supporters raising significant sums to assist with immediate needs and memorial costs. What began as a weekend of civic unrest has turned into a defining moment in the debate over federal authority and community safety.
As Minneapolis continues to mourn, many are left asking not only how a devoted nurse lost his life on a city street, but how trust can be restored in the institutions sworn to protect all citizens. The video, the conflicting narratives, and the public reaction suggest this incident will have ramifications far beyond Minnesota for months — if not years — to come.
As Minneapolis continues to mourn, many are left asking not only how a devoted nurse lost his life on a city street, but how trust can be restored in the institutions sworn to protect all citizens. The video, the conflicting narratives, and the public reaction suggest this incident will have ramifications far beyond Minnesota for months — if not years — to come.
