Minneapolis Nurse Killed in Border Patrol Shooting, Family Hires Lawyers

Pretti family retains attorneys from high-profile civil rights cases to protect their interests after fatal incident.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:55am

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The parents of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents while filming an immigration enforcement operation, have retained a former federal prosecutor who helped convict Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case. Pretti's younger sister has also hired a separate attorney. The lawyers were retained to protect the family's interests in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Why it matters

The shooting of Alex Pretti, who was legally carrying a handgun, has raised concerns about the use of force by federal immigration authorities and the need for greater accountability and transparency around such incidents. The involvement of high-profile civil rights attorneys underscores the gravity of the situation and the family's determination to seek justice.

The details

According to reports, Pretti, 37, was filming Border Patrol agents conducting an immigration enforcement operation when he was shot multiple times. Videos of the incident appear to show one officer removing Pretti's legally-owned handgun before two others opened fire. Pretti's death follows the recent shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good, a mother of three, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

  • On January 29, 2026, Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
  • On January 7, 2026, Renee Good, a Minneapolis resident, was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents while filming an immigration enforcement operation.

Steve Schleicher

A former federal prosecutor who served as a special prosecutor for the Minnesota Attorney General in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd. Schleicher is now representing the Pretti family pro bono.

Micayla Pretti

The younger sister of Alex Pretti, who has separately hired attorney Anthony Cotton of Kuchler & Cotton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Michael and Susan Pretti

The parents of Alex Pretti, who have retained Steve Schleicher to protect their family's interests.

Renee Good

A mother of three from Minneapolis who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on January 7, 2026.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to allow the Border Patrol agents involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti to be placed on leave pending the investigation.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency around the use of force by federal immigration authorities, as well as the importance of civil rights attorneys in protecting the interests of families affected by such incidents.