Border Patrol Agent Fatally Shoots Minneapolis Nurse During Immigration Operation
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee, was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Saturday. The incident unfolded early in the morning as federal agents sought to apprehend Jose Huerta-Chuma, an undocumented immigrant with a documented criminal history including domestic assault and disorderly conduct.
According to officials from the Department of Homeland Security, Pretti approached the Border Patrol agents armed with a 9mm pistol and “violently resisted” efforts to disarm him. Medics on the scene administered immediate aid, but Pretti was pronounced dead at the location. The American Federation of Government Employees confirmed Pretti was one of its members, highlighting his role as a healthcare professional in Minneapolis.
The operation was part of a broader effort by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol to detain individuals with criminal records living in the United States illegally. Huerta-Chuma, the target of the operation, has a history of offenses including intentional conflict bodily harm and driving without a valid license.
The shooting has ignited protests and calls for accountability in Minneapolis, with demonstrators demanding the removal of ICE and Border Patrol agents from the state. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar publicly urged federal agencies to reconsider their presence in the region following the fatal encounter. Meanwhile, local authorities have pledged to cooperate with federal investigations into the incident.
Video footage released by the American Federation of Government Employees has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, with some observers noting that it does not clearly show Pretti brandishing a weapon as claimed by the Department of Homeland Security. The union has called for transparency and a thorough review of the events leading to the use of lethal force.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stated that its agents receive extensive training in federal law enforcement protocols, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation and safety during operations. Nonetheless, the incident has intensified debate over immigration enforcement tactics in urban areas and the involvement of federal agencies in local communities.
Governor Tim Walz has authorized the deployment of the National Guard to Minneapolis to maintain order amid ongoing protests. The city’s mayor, Jacob Frey, has condemned violence while calling for calm and dialogue. The investigation is ongoing, with federal and local authorities working to piece together the facts surrounding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a respected nurse and veteran whose death has deeply affected the Minneapolis community.
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