A newly surfaced video showing 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti engaging with federal agents in Minneapolis has reignited national debate over the circumstances leading up to his death earlier this month. The footage — recorded days before he was shot and killed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers — offers a previously unseen angle on tensions between protesters and federal law enforcement.
Pretti’s death on January 24 sparked outrage and protests across Minnesota and the country. While federal authorities maintain their officers acted in self-defense during an enforcement operation, eyewitness video and accounts — including the recent clip — have complicated the narrative and fueled demands for transparency and investigation.
The Viral Footage: What It Shows
The video in question, reportedly recorded on January 13, captures an earlier confrontation between Pretti and federal agents during a protest against immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. In the clip, Pretti is seen interacting with officers near an unmarked federal SUV: shouting, spitting, and striking the vehicle.
According to reports, the video — which has been shared widely across social platforms — shows Pretti:
Shouting profanities at federal agents.
Spitting toward agents inside or near the vehicle.
Kicking the SUV’s taillight, causing visible damage.
After the damage is done, agents exit the vehicle and approach Pretti, eventually taking him to the ground. The scene unfolds amid a crowd of protesters and bystanders, some of whom film the encounter with their phones.
One version of the footage also reportedly shows what appears to be a handgun visible in Pretti’s waistband after the confrontation, though he does not appear to brandish it in the video. Agents later released him from custody at the end of the skirmish.
Family Response and Identity Confirmation
Pretti’s family has publicly confirmed that the individual seen in the viral video from January 13 is indeed him. His attorney, Steve Schleicher, told Fox News that while the incident was violent, “nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on Jan. 24.”
The family has also condemned the federal government’s account of his death, calling official narratives misleading and demanding a thorough investigation into the shooting that ultimately cost Pretti his life.
What Happened on January 24
On January 24, 2026, Pretti was shot and killed by CBP officers during another federal law enforcement action in south Minneapolis. Authorities claimed that he approached officers with a gun and resisted arrest, prompting them to open fire in what they described as a self-defense situation.
However, bystander videos and accounts collected by news organizations show a more complex picture. Some videos appear to show Pretti holding a phone rather than a weapon in the moments before he was shot, raising questions about the official account that he posed a direct threat to officers.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that at least two agents fired their weapons during the altercation and that body-worn camera footage exists from the encounter, though it has not been fully released to the public.
Conflicting Narratives and Public Reaction
The release of the January 13 footage has deepened the divide in public perception of the case. Supporters of law enforcement argue the video shows Pretti engaged in illegal and aggressive behavior, suggesting that his earlier confrontation with federal agents demonstrates a pattern that may have influenced how officers perceived him later.
Local leaders have responded with a range of reactions. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was reported to have downplayed the relevance of the earlier altercation in explaining the later fatal event, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation rather than jumping to conclusions based on isolated clips.
Critics of federal immigration enforcement — including activists, civil liberties groups, and many protesters on the ground — argue that the video should not be used to justify lethal force. They point to what they see as broader issues with how federal agents conduct operations in civilian settings and the escalating tensions that can result.
Broader Context: Federal Enforcement in Minneapolis
Pretti’s shooting was not an isolated incident. Earlier in January, another individual — Renee Nicole Good — was killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, sparking protests and calls from local leaders for a reevaluation of federal enforcement tactics in the city.
The twin fatalities have intensified scrutiny on agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and CBP and raised questions about the appropriateness of their operational strategies in urban, protest-driven environments.
President Donald Trump and other federal officials have defended the use of federal agents in Minneapolis as necessary to enforce immigration laws and maintain order. However, critics argue that their presence has, instead, contributed to hostility and violence.
The Role of Video Evidence
One of the most striking aspects of the Pretti story has been the role played by video evidence in shaping public understanding. From the January 13 footage of the earlier confrontation to multiple bystander videos from the January 24 shooting itself, visual records have become central to the debate.
Independent media outlets and social platforms have circulated clips widely, while some major news organizations such as BBC and NBC News have verified portions of the footage and incorporated them into broader reporting.
Supporters of transparency have called for the full release of body-worn camera and other official recordings, arguing that only comprehensive evidence can clarify the events that led to Pretti’s death. Critics of federal agencies have also pointed to discrepancies between official statements and what videos depict, suggesting the need for accountability and reform.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The controversy surrounding Pretti’s death has quickly moved beyond local news into national politics. Members of Congress have pressed federal agencies for more information, including details about officers’ actions, the presence of firearms, and the decision to use deadly force.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other state leaders have questioned whether agents involved in the shooting should continue operating in public roles, particularly given the heightened tensions and ongoing protests.
Meanwhile, federal officials assert that agents were placed on administrative leave — a standard procedure following officer-involved shootings — and that investigations are ongoing.
Continued Protests and Public Outcry
In the wake of Pretti’s death and the release of the January 13 footage, Minneapolis and other cities have seen renewed protests. Demonstrators have called for justice, release of full video evidence, and a halt to aggressive federal enforcement operations perceived as escalating conflict.
Some rallies have also focused on broader issues related to immigration policy and federal authority in local enforcement, uniting activists who see Pretti’s death as emblematic of deeper systemic problems.
