Ten Shots Fired in Seconds (Image Credits: S.abcnews.com)
Minneapolis – Federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation on Nicollet Avenue.[1][2]
Ten Shots Fired in Seconds
A forensic audio analysis of multiple videos revealed that agents unleashed 10 shots in less than five seconds during the confrontation.[1] The rapid gunfire came after several officers pinned Pretti to the ground. Witnesses captured the sequence on phone cameras, showing a swift escalation from recording to lethal force. Robert Maher, an audio forensics professor at Montana State University, confirmed the timing through synchronized video examination.[1]
Pretti suffered multiple wounds, including three in the back and one in the upper chest. Agents stepped back immediately after the final shots. One officer then announced possession of a handgun recovered from Pretti’s waistband.[1] The incident unfolded over roughly three minutes on January 24, 2026.
A Dedicated Nurse’s Background
Alex Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, where he cared for veterans. Colleagues remembered him as quick with a joke and always eager to help. Dr. Dmitri Drekonja, who bonded with Pretti over mountain biking, described him as someone who put people at ease.[2] Pretti held an active Minnesota nursing license and had no criminal record. He possessed a valid permit for his 9mm handgun, legal to carry openly under state law.[2]
Earlier in his career, Pretti served as a junior scientist at the University of Minnesota Medical School. A union representing VA workers expressed devastation over the loss of one of their members. Family photos and tributes highlighted his commitment to service.[2]
Timeline of the Fatal Encounter
Videos synchronized across five sources outlined the sequence beginning around 8:58 a.m. Pretti initially held his phone toward officers detaining individuals nearby. Tensions rose as bystanders gathered and vehicles passed close by.
- 8:58:22 a.m.: An officer approached Pretti with pepper spray while he recorded.
- 9:00:41 a.m.: Agents pushed civilians toward Pretti amid shouts about traffic.
- 9:00:50 a.m.: Pepper spray hit Pretti as he raised a hand near a bystander.
- 9:00:56 a.m.: An officer pulled Pretti into the street by his hood.
- 9:01:02 a.m.: Multiple officers pinned him down; a woman nearby called it brutality.
- 9:01:13 a.m.: An agent disarmed Pretti, pulling a gun from his waistband.
- 9:01:14-9:01:19 a.m.: Ten shots rang out in rapid succession.[1]
Federal Claims Versus Eyewitness Accounts
The Department of Homeland Security maintained that Pretti approached agents with a handgun and resisted disarmament violently. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled him a domestic terrorist intent on harming officers. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino echoed that narrative, citing an ongoing investigation.[1][3]
A witness declaration filed by the ACLU disputed this sharply. The observer stated Pretti tried to help a woman pushed down by agents and did not brandish a weapon. “It is wrong,” the witness said of the DHS account. “He approached them with a camera.”[4] Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara and state leaders criticized the rush to judgment. Former DHS official John Cohen noted videos showed no threatening advance.[1]
Wider Tensions in the City
The shooting marked the second fatal incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis that month. Local officials called for immigration enforcement teams to withdraw. Protests followed, with demands for accountability amid heightened immigration operations.[3]
Key Takeaways
- Videos contradict claims of an aggressive approach by Pretti.
- Forensic analysis confirms 10 shots in under five seconds.
- Investigations continue by DOJ and local authorities.
This case underscores deepening divides between federal and local responses to enforcement actions. As details emerge, questions persist about use of force and transparency. What do you think about the conflicting accounts? Tell us in the comments.
