ICU Nurse Fatally Shot by Border Patrol Agents During Minneapolis Protest

Alex Pretti's parents speak out for the first time since their son's death, calling the Trump administration's claims about him "sickening lies"

Feb. 11, 2026 at 6:07pm

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The parents of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents during a protest against the Trump administration's immigration policies in Minneapolis on January 24, have given their first sit-down interview about their son's death. Michael and Susan Pretti say the administration has made "sickening lies" about their "exceptionally kind" firstborn child, who they say was simply trying to help another protester when he was killed.

Why it matters

The Pretti family's account of the shooting contradicts the Trump administration's claims that Alex was an "insurrectionist" and "domestic terrorist" who violently resisted federal agents. The case has sparked outrage over the use of lethal force by law enforcement against protesters and raised questions about the administration's immigration crackdown tactics.

The details

According to the Prettis' lawyer, video evidence shows Alex never drew his gun and was disarmed by an officer before being fatally shot in the back multiple times. The Prettis say Alex, who had a valid permit to carry a handgun, had told them about a confrontation he had with federal agents on January 13, just days before his death, but they insist "nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing."

  • Alex Pretti was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents on January 24, 2026.
  • On February 2, 2026, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled that Alex's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was homicide.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents while observing a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis.

Michael and Susan Pretti

The parents of Alex Pretti, who have spoken out in their first sit-down interview since their son's death.

Steven Schleicher

The Prettis' lawyer, who worked on the George Floyd trial.

Donald Trump

The former president who labeled Alex an "insurrectionist" and "agitator" in the aftermath of his death.

Stephen Miller

The White House deputy chief of staff and Trump's homeland security adviser, who branded Alex as a "domestic terrorist" who "tried to assassinate federal law enforcement."

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What they’re saying

“He's my firstborn. He's the one that made me a mother. There was no reason he should have died that day.”

— Susan Pretti (The New York Times)

“The truth is, he was an exceptionally kind, caring man.”

— Michael Pretti (The New York Times)

“Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex's killing.”

— Steven Schleicher, Lawyer for the Pretti family (The New York Times)

What’s next

The Pretti family is seeking "facts and accountability" about the day their son was killed.

The takeaway

This case has sparked outrage over the use of lethal force by law enforcement against protesters and raised questions about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown tactics, with the Pretti family accusing the administration of making "sickening lies" about their "exceptionally kind" son.