New Video Shows Altercation Between Alex Pretti and Federal Agents Days Before Fatal Shooting

Footage captures confrontation that led to Pretti's death at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:15am

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A new video has surfaced showing an altercation between Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and federal agents in Minneapolis just 11 days before Pretti was fatally shot by those same agents. The video captures Pretti shouting insults at the agents, flipping them off, and even spitting and kicking their vehicle before being wrestled to the ground by the agents as protesters look on.

Why it matters

This latest video provides additional context around the events leading up to Pretti's death, which has sparked outrage and protests in Minneapolis over the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. The video raises further questions about the justification for the agents' use of lethal force against Pretti, who was licensed to carry a concealed firearm.

The details

The video, recorded on January 13, shows Pretti approaching two SUVs blocking traffic and shouting insults at the federal agents inside. He flips them off and dares them to pepper-spray or assault him. When an agent confronts him, Pretti spits toward the open rear door of the vehicle and kicks the taillight before the agents wrestle him to the ground as protesters scream at them. Pretti somehow manages to get back up, and the protest continues with agents deploying tear gas.

  • The incident occurred on January 13, 2026, 11 days before Pretti's fatal shooting.
  • Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 32-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.

Federal Agents

Unidentified federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security who were involved in the altercation with Pretti and later shot him to death.

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What they’re saying

“We showed you another angle of the same chaos Wednesday, with a closer view of the late ICU nurse being slammed to the ground. He's somehow able to get up ... and the protest continues on as agents deploy tear gas to break up the crowds of angry residents and drive off.”

— TMZ Staff (tmz.com)

“A rep for Pretti's family told TMZ they were well aware of the incident, and that Pretti sustained injuries in this incident, but did not seek medical care.”

— Pretti Family Representative (tmz.com)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has stated that Pretti approached agents with a gun, but video shows he never pulled out his firearm, which he was licensed to carry. Protesters continue to demand answers and accountability for Pretti's death.

The takeaway

This latest video footage raises serious questions about the justification for the federal agents' use of lethal force against Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and the Minneapolis community's demands for police accountability and de-escalation.