SHOCKING: According to ICE documents, Alex Pretti was carrying a fully loaded Sig Sauer P320 — but video shows he never drew it to threaten officers. What’s even more surprising: some reports suggest the Sig Sauer P320 has a history of accidental discharges without intentional trigger pulls, leading federal agents to believe he fired first… and that “involuntary shot” may have triggered the deadly shooting that killed him! 
See detailed analysis here.
On January 24, 2026, 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti — an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital — was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis in the midst of heightened tensions surrounding a federal immigration enforcement operation. Pretti’s death rapidly ignited national outrage, intense political debate, and widespread protests.
According to numerous videos recorded by bystanders and widely reported by outlets such as Reuters, AP, and the BBC, Pretti was not brandishing a weapon in the moments before the shooting. Rather, the footage shows him holding a cell phone — at one point filming federal agents — and attempting to help a woman who had been shoved by officers when they confronted demonstrators.
Federal authorities initially stated that Pretti approached officers with a loaded handgun — a Sig Sauer P320 9mm — but what was visible in the bystander videos does not support that claim. In fact, video reviewed by multiple news organizations appears to show that an agent disarmed Pretti during the altercation before shots were fired.
In the chaotic minutes that unfolded, a lawyer and firearms expert has publicly suggested that the first shot heard on the video may have come not from Pretti but from an agent who had taken possession of his weapon and accidentally discharged it while removing it from his holster. This theory is part of ongoing investigations but has not been independently confirmed by federal authorities.
The Sig Sauer P320 at the center of these discussions is a popular pistol widely used by civilians and law enforcement. It has been the subject of scrutiny and lawsuits alleging unintended discharges during handling, but firearm manufacturer Sig Sauer has denied systemic defects, and legal conclusions about causality in individual incidents remain unsettled.
Following the shooting, Minnesota leaders — including the governor and attorney general — called for local law enforcement to take over investigations, citing concerns about federal obstruction. President Donald Trump and DHS officials defended the actions of agents and reiterated claims that Pretti posed a threat, while critics argue the narrative advanced by federal authorities conflicts with available video evidence.
Pretti’s family has strongly rebuked official statements, saying he never threatened officers and that he was acting peacefully. They emphasize his career as a nurse who cared for veterans and his lack of serious criminal history.
The incident has sparked protests and national debate over law enforcement use of force, immigration enforcement practices, and transparency surrounding critical incidents. Whether future investigations confirm the accidental discharge theory or affirm another explanation, the killing of Alex Pretti remains a deeply contentious and nationally significant event.
