Sister of Alex Pretti Refutes 'Disgusting Lies' About Deadly Shooting

Micayla Pretti pays tribute to her 'hero' brother while calling out false claims about the incident.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:55pm

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The sister of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, has released a statement pushing back against 'absolutely gut-wrenching' falsehoods she said have been spread about the incident. Micayla Pretti described her brother as 'kind, generous' and 'deeply passionate', and said hearing 'disgusting lies' about him is 'absolutely gut-wrenching'.

Why it matters

The shooting of Alex Pretti has sparked outrage and controversy, with conflicting narratives emerging about the incident. Micayla Pretti's statement aims to counter false claims and provide a more accurate portrayal of her brother and the circumstances surrounding his death.

The details

According to multiple witness videos, Pretti was embracing a woman when a federal officer shoved her. Pretti then held his phone toward the officer, and he and the other person fell back as several officers surrounded Pretti. An officer struck Pretti near his head several times before a shot rang out, though it's unclear where it came from. More shots were then heard, and Pretti was left motionless on the street.

  • The shooting occurred on Saturday in Minneapolis.
  • Micayla Pretti 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 brother and pushing back against 'disgusting lies' about the incident.

Michael and Susan Pretti

The parents of Alex Pretti, who previously released a statement describing their 'heartbroken but also very angry' reaction to their son's death.

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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)

“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. He would be very proud.”

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

What’s next

The investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti is ongoing, with President Trump saying he wants to see a 'very honorable and honest investigation'.

The takeaway

The conflicting narratives surrounding Alex Pretti's death highlight the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the facts and ensure justice is served, while also honoring the memory of a man described as a kind, generous, and deeply passionate individual.