ICE Victim Identified: Alex Pretti, 37-Year-Old White US Citizen, ICU Nurse/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Federal immigration agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and lawful gun owner, during an immigration raid in Minneapolis. The incident has intensified protests and sparked outrage from Minnesota officials. President Trump responded by defending ICE and attacking local Democratic leaders.
Nurse Killed in Minneapolis ICE Raid – Quick Looks
- Victim identified as 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti
- Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry
- DHS claims he “violently resisted” during an ICE operation
- President Trump defended ICE and accused state leaders of fraud
- Minneapolis Police Chief confirmed victim’s clean record, aside from traffic tickets
- Protesters clashed with federal agents at the scene
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and others condemned the shooting
- Store owner opened shop to support freezing protesters
- Hennepin County Sheriff requested National Guard for support
- Trump’s response included conspiracy claims and attacks on Democrats
Deep Look
Minneapolis ICU Nurse Shot by ICE Agents During Raid, Protests Erupt Across City
MINNEAPOLIS — A 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse and legal firearm owner was shot and killed by federal immigration officers Saturday in Minneapolis, sparking a new wave of protests and sharp political backlash across Minnesota and the nation.
The man, now identified as Alex Pretti, was described by his parents as a dedicated healthcare worker with no criminal history beyond traffic violations. The shooting occurred during what the Department of Homeland Security has called the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history, carried out under the Trump administration.
According to DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, ICE agents fired what they called “defensive shots” after Pretti allegedly approached them with a handgun and “violently resisted” disarmament. A photo of the 9mm handgun was released, but Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara emphasized that Pretti had a valid permit to carry and was a lawful gun owner.
Trump Responds With Rant and Accusations
Instead of addressing the victim by name or expressing condolences, President Donald Trump posted a lengthy statement on Truth Social, attacking Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and defending the federal agents.
“This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!)… The Mayor and the Governor called off local police! Why does Ilhan Omar have $34 million in her account?”
Trump accused Rep. Ilhan Omar, Gov. Tim Walz, and Mayor Jacob Frey of facilitating crime through “open border” policies and financial corruption. He called the incident a “cover-up” for alleged fraud and insisted that ICE should be left alone to continue its operations.
“LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB! 12,000 illegal alien criminals, many of them violent, have been arrested and taken out of Minnesota.”
Trump’s post drew immediate criticism from across the political spectrum.
Minnesota Officials Outraged by Killing
Governor Tim Walz condemned the operation and said he had communicated directly with the White House. He renewed calls for ICE agents to withdraw from Minnesota, calling the officers “violent and untrained.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote on X:
“Donald Trump and all your lieutenants who ordered this ICE surge: watch the horrific video of the killing today. The world is watching. Get ICE out of Minnesota.”
Senator Tina Smith and Rep. Angie Craig echoed that sentiment, with Craig declaring the killing “sickening” and saying ICE is now “beyond out of control.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has often been a target of Trump’s political rhetoric, responded to the shooting by labeling it “an execution.”
“Federal agents murdered another member of our community,” she said. “This isn’t isolated or accidental. The Trump administration is trying to beat us into submission.”
Community Reels, Protests Intensify
As word of the killing spread, a large crowd of protesters gathered at the intersection near the shooting scene. Witnesses reported ICE officers using flash bangs and batons, while one officer mockingly told the crowd, “Boo hoo,” as he walked away.
Protesters chanted “ICE out now” and dragged trash dumpsters into the street to create makeshift barricades. The intersection was closed off, and Border Patrol agents in riot gear secured the area.
Local business owner Allison Bross, whose shop b. Resale is located nearby, opened her doors to demonstrators seeking refuge from the freezing temperatures.
“We’re a community-based business,” she said. “If someone in our neighborhood is getting hurt, I’m going to be here.”
A makeshift memorial of candles and flowers formed at a nearby bus stop, where people came to honor Pretti.
Law Enforcement Request National Guard
In response to the escalating unrest, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt requested the Minnesota National Guard to help secure federal buildings and allow local deputies to focus on other parts of the city.
The sheriff’s office said the Guard’s role would be to support law enforcement and ensure protesters could demonstrate safely.
“We urge all actions to remain peaceful and lawful. Our priority remains protecting our neighborhoods and keeping people safe,” the statement read.
Vance Blames Local Officials
Vice President JD Vance, who recently visited Minneapolis, blamed the situation on local authorities, saying ICE agents wanted more cooperation from city police but were allegedly blocked.
“What ICE agents wanted more than anything was to work with local law enforcement so that situations on the ground didn’t get out of hand,” Vance posted.
He added that local officials had failed to assist in the investigation of the January 7 shooting of Renee Good, the first ICE-related killing this month that sparked the original wave of protests.
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