Two DHS Agents Placed on Administrative Leave Following Fatal Shooting of Minneapolis ICU Nurse Alex Pretti

Minneapolis, MN – January 28, 2026 – Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the deadly shooting of 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

The incident occurred on January 24, 2026, around 9:05 a.m. CST near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood. Pretti, a U.S. citizen and licensed nurse who had worked caring for veterans, was shot multiple times during a confrontation with federal agents amid ongoing large-scale immigration enforcement operations in the area. DHS has described the episode as part of broader protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which has involved thousands of arrests and drawn significant criticism for aggressive tactics.

According to a DHS report sent to Congress and obtained by multiple news outlets, including CBS News and ABC News, two federal officers discharged their service weapons—a Glock 19 and a Glock 47—during a struggle after agents attempted to take Pretti into custody. The report states that Pretti resisted efforts to detain him, and during the scuffle, an agent yelled "He's got a gun!" multiple times before the shots were fired. A firearm reportedly belonging to Pretti was later secured from the scene.

Initial accounts from DHS officials, including Secretary Kristi Noem, alleged that Pretti approached agents armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him, framing the shooting as self-defense. However, videos from bystanders and body-worn cameras—reviewed by outlets such as the BBC, The New York Times, and ABC News—appear to show Pretti holding a phone rather than a weapon when agents first engaged him. Witnesses and Pretti's family have disputed claims that he brandished or reached for a firearm, with some describing him as attempting to shield a woman being pepper-sprayed or document the scene.

Pretti was declared dead at the scene after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting marks the third involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks and has intensified scrutiny of the operations, prompting calls for independent investigations from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and civil rights groups including the ACLU.

Pretti's family released a statement expressing deep grief and rejecting federal narratives as "sickening lies," emphasizing his role as a compassionate caregiver. Colleagues and nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association and National Nurses United, have mourned his loss and highlighted his dedication to veterans.

The agents' placement on administrative leave—standard protocol in officer-involved shootings—follows a CBP Office of Professional Responsibility review of body camera footage and other evidence. President Donald Trump has commented on the incident, and leadership changes within DHS operations in Minnesota have been reported, including the departure of local Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.

Federal authorities have not released full body camera footage to the public, though a judge has ordered preservation of evidence. The case continues to fuel national debate over immigration enforcement tactics, accountability for federal agents, and the intersection of protests with law enforcement actions. Investigations by CBP and potentially other agencies remain ongoing.

17GEN4.com