Sister Defends 'Hero' Brother After Deadly Shooting by Border Patrol

Micayla Pretti calls out 'disgusting lies' about her brother Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The sister of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, has released a statement defending her 'hero' brother and pushing back against 'absolutely gut-wrenching' falsehoods that have been spread about him in the aftermath. Micayla Pretti said her brother was 'kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into' and that 'all Alex ever wanted was to help someone - anyone' even in his final moments.

Why it matters

This case has sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability and reform around police use of force, especially against individuals who appear to pose no immediate threat. The conflicting narratives about Alex Pretti's actions and character highlight the importance of thorough and transparent investigations into such incidents.

The details

According to witness videos, Pretti was embracing a woman when a federal officer shoved her, prompting Pretti to hold his phone toward the officer. Pretti and the woman fell back as officers surrounded him, with one striking his chest and another hitting him near the head several times as they tried to restrain him. A single gunshot then rang out, though it's unclear where it came from, and Pretti was left motionless on the street.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2026 in Minneapolis.
  • Pretti's sister Micayla released her statement on January 28, 2026.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis.

Micayla Pretti

The younger sister of Alex Pretti who released a statement defending her 'hero' brother and pushing back against 'disgusting lies' about him.

Michael and Susan Pretti

The parents of Alex Pretti who said they were 'heartbroken but also very angry' and called the 'sickening lies' about their son 'reprehensible and disgusting.'

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who said a 'big investigation' was underway into the shooting and that he wanted to 'see it myself' before making a judgment.

Stephen Miller

A White House deputy chief of staff who described Pretti as an 'assassin' who 'tried to murder federal agents' on social media.

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What they’re saying

“Alex was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into. He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe.”

— Micayla Pretti, Sister of Alex Pretti (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough? 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.”

— Micayla Pretti, Sister of Alex Pretti (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

“I want to see the investigation. I'm going to be watching over it, and I want a very honorable and honest investigation. I have to see it myself.”

— Donald Trump (wkrn.com)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the investigation into the shooting will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the Border Patrol officer involved to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing tensions and lack of trust between law enforcement and communities, underscoring the urgent need for greater accountability, de-escalation training, and a reexamination of use-of-force policies to prevent further loss of innocent life.