Parents of Slain VA Nurse Seek Answers After Deadly Encounter with Federal Agents

Michael and Susan Pretti say their son Alex was killed for no good reason during an incident in Minneapolis.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In a detailed interview with the New York Times, the parents of 37-year-old VA nurse Alex Pretti say their son was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis after he stepped in to help a woman knocked down by a Customs and Border Protection officer. Officials have branded Pretti a would-be "domestic terrorist," but cellphone video shows him on his knees, disarmed, before being shot multiple times. The Prettis, represented by the attorney from the George Floyd murder case, are seeking "facts and accountability" and argue nothing about an earlier scuffle explains why their son died.

Why it matters

This case has raised questions about the use of force by federal immigration agents and the portrayal of individuals like Alex Pretti, who was described as a caring, community-minded nurse horrified by the immigration crackdown in his adopted city of Minneapolis.

The details

According to the New York Times report, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old VA nurse, was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis after he stepped in to help a woman who had been knocked down by a Customs and Border Protection officer. Officials have branded Pretti a would-be "domestic terrorist," but cellphone video cited by the Times shows him on his knees, disarmed of his legally permitted handgun, before he was shot multiple times.

  • On February 11, 2026, Michael and Susan Pretti were interviewed less than three weeks after their son's death.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old VA nurse who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis after he stepped in to help a woman who had been knocked down by a Customs and Border Protection officer.

Michael and Susan Pretti

The parents of Alex Pretti, who are seeking "facts and accountability" regarding their son's death and argue nothing about an earlier scuffle explains why he was killed.

Steven Schleicher

The attorney representing the Pretti family, who also worked on the George Floyd murder case.

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What they’re saying

“There was no reason he should have died that day. His last act on this earth, his last thought, was to help this woman.”

— Susan Pretti, Mother of Alex Pretti (New York Times)

“He said, 'Mom, they're kidnapping kids.'”

— Michael Pretti, Father of Alex Pretti (New York Times)

What’s next

The Pretti family, represented by attorney Steven Schleicher, is seeking "facts and accountability" regarding Alex Pretti's death and plans to continue pressing for a thorough investigation into the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic case has raised serious concerns about the use of force by federal immigration agents and the portrayal of individuals like Alex Pretti, who was described as a caring, community-minded nurse. The Pretti family's quest for answers and accountability highlights the need for greater transparency and oversight in such incidents.