Parents of Slain Nurse Speak Out After Deadly Encounter with Immigration Agents

Alex Pretti's parents reflect on their son's life and the unanswered questions surrounding his death.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In their first in-depth interview, Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, opened up about their son's life and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death at the hands of immigration agents in Minneapolis last month. The Prettis described Alex as an exceptionally kind and caring man dedicated to his family, patients, and community, and expressed their grief and anger over his killing, which they say had "no reason" to happen.

Why it matters

This story highlights the human impact of the federal immigration crackdown that has led to increased presence of agents in communities across the country, and raises questions about the use of force by law enforcement in such encounters. The Prettis' account provides a personal perspective on the consequences of these policies and the need for greater accountability.

The details

According to the Prettis, their son Alex, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs, was killed on January 24th in Minneapolis after he tried to help a woman who had been shoved to the ground by a Customs and Border Protection agent. Alex was then tackled and shot multiple times by the agents. The Prettis say their son was upset about the immigration raids and had joined protests against them, but they did not discuss politics with him often.

  • Alex Pretti was killed on January 24, 2026.
  • The Prettis gave their first lengthy interview on February 11, 2026.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs who was killed by immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Michael Pretti

Alex Pretti's father, who described his son as an "exceptionally kind, caring man" dedicated to his family, patients, and community.

Susan Pretti

Alex Pretti's mother, who said there was "no reason he should have died that day" and that her son "made me a mother."

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What they’re saying

“He's my first born. He's the one that made me a mother. There was no reason he should have died that day.”

— Susan Pretti, Alex Pretti's mother (startribune.com)

“There's probably 10 more in the mailbox today.”

— Michael Pretti, Alex Pretti's father (startribune.com)

What’s next

The Prettis say they have many unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding their son's death, and they plan to continue pressing for more information and accountability from the authorities involved.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the human toll of the federal government's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, and the need for greater transparency, de-escalation, and respect for human life when agents interact with the public. The Prettis' grief and anger underscore the importance of addressing these issues to prevent similar outcomes in the future.