The parents of a Minnesota man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents over the weekend have come forward to share details about his life and identity. Alex Pretti, 37, was an intensive care nurse employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His family revealed that Pretti had been actively participating in protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the death of Renee Good earlier in January.
The Pretti family first became aware of their son’s possible involvement in the incident after being contacted by an Associated Press reporter. Michael Pretti, Alex’s father, recounted the motivations that led his son to join the protests, citing a strong sense of justice and activism.
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Despite their efforts to advise him, Pretti’s parents were unable to dissuade him from protesting the controversial Operation Metro Surge. On the day of the incident, Pretti was carrying a concealed 9mm Sig Sauer pistol with two magazines of ammunition. According to Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, Pretti did not have any identification on him at the time of the shooting.
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Pretti’s parents tried to give their son guidance surrounding his choice to protest the activity of Operation Metro Surge.
“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael Pretti said. “And he said he knows that. He knew that.”
[…]
Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.
On this Saturday when Pretti chose to protest, he conceal carried a 9mm Sig Sauer with two magazines of ammunition. As Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino revealed, Pretti did not have any form of ID on his person.
BREAKING: DHS tells @FoxNews the suspect was armed with a gun, which has been recovered by federal agents. pic.twitter.com/GLZJMdwIup
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 24, 2026
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As RedState has covered, the then-unidentified protester engaged with U.S. Border Patrol officers, obstructing them from their targeted operation to apprehend an illegal alien who was wanted for violent assault. When the officers attempted to disarm Pretti, he resisted and attempted to engage his weapon. According to Bovino, the officers feared for their lives and they shot Pretti, neutralizing the threat.
The family has taken issue with the characterization of their son given to the press by Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Bovino in his earlier conference, and by Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem in a separate conference.
The family issued this statement to CNN.
Statement from the family of Alex Pretti, Michael and Susan Pretti:
“We are heartbroken but also very angry.
Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA…
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 25, 2026
Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman.The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.
Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you”
This is a developing story. RedState will provide updates and additional details as they become available.
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