A Minneapolis nurse was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents earlier this month, sparking a national debate about federal law enforcement overreach and raising questions about the tactics employed by ICE. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital and U.S. citizen wiht familial ties to Italy, died following an altercation with agents stemming from a protest. As authorities offer conflicting accounts of the incident,the victim’s family is demanding clarity and disputing claims that Pretti posed a threat.
Michael Pretti, the victim’s father: “Both my maternal and paternal grandparents emigrated here from northern Italy. Alex was a hero.”
MINNEAPOLIS (UNITED STATES) – The fatal shooting of an American nurse by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis is prompting questions about the use of federal law enforcement within U.S. cities and highlighting the personal stories behind the ongoing debate over immigration policy. Michael Pretti, father of the victim, Alex Pretti, revealed that his family has deep roots in northern Italy, with both sides of his family immigrating to the United States generations ago.
Michael and his wife, Susan, residing in Colorado, learned of their 37-year-old son’s death from an Associated Press journalist. As of Saturday evening, they had not received official notification of Alex’s passing from any department within the Department of Homeland Security. The incident comes amid increasing scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics and is being led by Greg Bovino, himself the descendant of Italian immigrants.
“Please, make sure the world knows,” Michael Pretti repeatedly requested during a brief conversation. Despite the recent loss of his son in Minneapolis, he apologized for his limited comments to reporters, preferring to share a statement he had already provided to other American news outlets, asking them to “get the truth out about our son, please. He was a good man.”
Following the release of video footage of the incident, the Department of Homeland Security initially characterized Alex Pretti as a terrorist and claimed he was armed. Agent Bovino stated that Pretti had “confronted” law enforcement and disregarded attempts to disarm him. The parents have since released a statement expressing their grief and outrage. “We are heartbroken, but we are also very angry,” they wrote. “Alex was a good soul, deeply caring for his family and friends, and for the American war veterans he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see the impact of his actions. I do not use the term hero lightly. Regardless, his last thought and act was to protect a woman.”
The available video evidence appears to contradict the claims made by Bovino and officials. The family denounced what they called “disgusting lies” about their son, stating that he was not holding a weapon when he was attacked by ICE agents. “He has his phone in his right hand and his left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman that ICE just pushed to the ground while pepper spraying her.”
Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen born in Illinois, had no prior criminal record. He lived alone following a recent divorce and the death of his dog, Joule. Neighbors described him as a friendly and active member of the community. His ex-wife, Rachel N Canoun, confirmed that Alex owned a firearm and possessed a valid concealed carry permit, legal in the state of Minnesota. A neighbor told reporters that she knew he occasionally visited a shooting range but was surprised he brought a weapon to the protest. His parents had urged him to be cautious, knowing he was participating in demonstrations against ICE due to his concern over events unfolding in Minneapolis and across the United States. “He thought it was terrible – kidnapping children, taking people off the street.” They had advised him not to “do anything stupid,” to which he reportedly replied, “I know, I know.” Their last conversation with their son occurred two days before his death, during which he recounted giving a $100 tip to a Hispanic worker who had repaired their garage door, a gesture of generosity given “everything that’s happening in Minneapolis.”
