Ten shots fired: Why Alex Pretti’s death is tearing the US apart

Minnesota: The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in south Minneapolis has triggered nationwide attention, exposing deep fault lines between federal agencies, state leadership and civil society over immigration enforcement inside US cities.

Pretti, an intensive care nurse and US citizen, was shot dead during an encounter with Border Patrol officers amid ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota. His death came less than three weeks after another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, was killed by an ICE agent, intensifying scrutiny of federal tactics.

Conflicting accounts from federal and state authorities

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Pretti approached Border Patrol officers carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and reacted violently when agents attempted to disarm him. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that an officer fired “defensive shots” to protect the lives of fellow agents and the public. DHS later released a photograph of a firearm it said belonged to Pretti, along with claims that he was carrying two ammunition magazines.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz strongly disputed this account, describing it as “nonsense” and “lies”, and accusing federal authorities of misleading the public. Walz called for federal agents to be withdrawn from Minneapolis, warning that continued deployments could result in further civilian deaths. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey similarly described the federal presence as an “invasion”.

What video evidence shows

BBC analysed seven videos capturing moments before and after the shooting showed Pretti standing in the street, filming officers on his mobile phone and attempting to assist another person who had been pushed to the ground. He is later seen being pepper-sprayed, restrained and wrestled face-down.

Crucially, video from the immediate moments before the shooting shows Pretti with his hands in front of him and no weapon visible. An officer appears to retrieve an object from Pretti’s waistband, and within seconds, shots are fired. Ten gunshots are heard, with several discharged after officers had stepped back from Pretti’s body. In the aftermath, officers are heard asking, “Where’s the gun?”

These images have fuelled public doubt over whether Pretti posed an imminent threat at the moment lethal force was used.

Lawful gun ownership and the wider gun debate

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Alex Pretti was believed to be a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry and had no significant criminal history beyond minor traffic violations. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie argued that carrying a firearm is a constitutional right and “not a death sentence”, while other Republican figures maintained that approaching officers while armed creates a dangerous situation.

The case has reignited debate over how federal agents assess threats in states where legal gun ownership is widespread, and whether lawful possession is being conflated with criminal intent during protests.

Immigration enforcement and rising unrest in Minnesota

Minnesota has seen weeks of demonstrations following a large-scale immigration enforcement operation ordered by the Trump administration. Federal officials describe the operation as targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Critics, including civil rights groups and local leaders, argue that the crackdown has led to racial profiling and the detention of migrants without criminal histories, as well as US citizens.

After Pretti’s death, protests intensified, with vigils held across Minneapolis and other US cities. Legal observers and volunteers have also increased their presence, filming federal agents to document encounters.

Political fallout and calls for investigation

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy described the incident as “incredibly disturbing” and called for a joint federal and state investigation. Governor Walz insisted that federal authorities cannot be trusted to investigate themselves, citing discrepancies between official statements and video evidence.

President Donald Trump accused Walz of “inciting insurrection”, briefly reviving discussion around the possible use of the Insurrection Act — a rarely invoked law that allows the deployment of military forces for domestic law enforcement.

Who Alex Pretti was

Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital and was described by colleagues as compassionate and deeply committed to helping others. Friends and family said he joined protests out of concern for civil liberties, immigration policy and environmental protection.

His parents have called for transparency and accountability, urging authorities to release all footage and evidence related to the shooting.