The Alex Pretti shooting remains a major point of public attention as his family continues seeking answers about the fatal encounter in Minneapolis. On August 25, 2026, Alex Pretti’s parents and sister spoke publicly in an exclusive ABC News interview, describing their grief and demanding accountability for the 37-year-old ICU nurse’s death.
Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. He was a U.S. citizen and worked as an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
Seven months after his death, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. His family says they still want to know which officers fired the fatal shots and why the confrontation ended with Alex’s death.
Susan Pretti, Alex’s mother, expressed the family’s anger during the interview, saying, “They murdered our child.”
The family’s comments come after months of disagreement between federal and Minnesota authorities over investigative evidence. Minnesota prosecutors received additional federal evidence in July, potentially giving state investigators more material to review.
Who Was Alex Pretti?
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was 37 when he died in Minneapolis.
He worked as an intensive care nurse for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His job at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System involved caring for veterans with serious medical conditions.
Family members have described Pretti as compassionate and deeply concerned about people around him.
His death attracted national attention because he was killed during a confrontation with federal immigration enforcement officers. Multiple videos recorded portions of the encounter, creating a substantial visual record for investigators and the public.
Those recordings have played a significant role in the debate over what happened.
When Did the Shooting Happen?
The shooting occurred on January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Federal immigration officers were conducting enforcement activity in the area when Pretti became involved in the confrontation.
Videos show Pretti approaching officers and recording the activity with a cellphone. The situation escalated as officers confronted him.
Pretti was eventually taken to the ground.
The most disputed part of the incident involves his firearm. Pretti was legally carrying a handgun, but video footage shows officers gaining control of the weapon before the fatal gunfire.
Approximately 10 shots were fired.
Pretti died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner later classified his death as a homicide, while noting that the classification does not itself determine whether the shooting was criminally unlawful.
What Do the Videos Show?
Video footage has become central to the investigation.
Several recordings captured different portions of the confrontation. ABC News reviewed six verified videos and created a detailed timeline of the encounter.
The footage shows Pretti using a cellphone as officers confronted him. It also shows officers struggling with him on the ground.
One important issue involves the timing of the firearm being removed.
Video reviewed after the shooting showed an officer taking Pretti’s handgun during the struggle. The firearm had apparently been secured before the fatal shots were fired.
That evidence has raised questions about early descriptions of Pretti as an immediate armed threat.
However, video evidence alone does not answer every legal question surrounding the shooting.
Investigators still must determine what individual officers perceived, what orders were given, what actions occurred during the confrontation and whether the use of deadly force complied with applicable law and policy.
How Did the Pretti Family Learn About His Death?
The family’s account of Alex’s death has added another painful dimension to the case.
During the August 25 ABC News interview, Michael and Susan Pretti said they learned what had happened while watching television coverage.
Susan said she recognized her son from his clothing and sunglasses.
The family said they had not received an immediate official notification before seeing the footage.
For Alex’s parents, watching the shooting on television became one of the most traumatic moments following his death.
They have continued to criticize the handling of communication with the family.
Their attorney, Steven Schleicher, has also questioned why the family has waited so long for information about the officers involved.
What Did Federal Officials Say After the Shooting?
The government’s early public description of Pretti became an important part of the controversy.
Several Trump administration officials portrayed the confrontation as a serious threat to federal law enforcement.
Former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said Pretti appeared intent on harming officers.
Then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the incident as involving domestic terrorism.
Stephen Miller also made strong statements about Pretti following the shooting.
President Donald Trump subsequently referred to Pretti as an “agitator” and questioned his intentions.
Pretti’s family has strongly rejected those characterizations.
During the latest interview, family members said the public statements did not accurately portray the person they knew.
The dispute over those descriptions has remained connected to the broader questions surrounding the shooting.
Why the Family Disputes the Official Narrative
The Pretti family believes the publicly available video evidence conflicts with some of the early descriptions of the encounter.
Their concerns center on several issues.
First, they point to footage showing Pretti recording officers before the confrontation escalated.
Second, they point to video showing officers taking control of his firearm.
Third, they question why deadly force was used after the weapon appeared to have been removed.
These issues are central to the family’s demand for a complete investigation.
Still, the final legal conclusions remain with investigators and prosecutors.
The family’s allegations should therefore be distinguished from findings that have been formally established by authorities.
Federal Civil Rights Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation into Pretti’s death.
The FBI became involved in the federal inquiry.
The investigation is intended to examine whether federal officers violated Pretti’s civil rights during the encounter and shooting.
Federal investigators have been reviewing video, witness accounts and other evidence connected to the incident.
As of August 25, 2026, the investigation had not produced a publicly announced criminal case against the officers who fired the fatal shots.
The lack of a final decision has frustrated Pretti’s family.
His relatives have repeatedly called for transparency and accountability.
Minnesota Investigation Gains Additional Evidence
A significant development came in July 2026.
Minnesota prosecutors announced that federal authorities had provided investigative evidence related to the Pretti shooting and another fatal shooting involving federal immigration enforcement.
The material reportedly included hard drives containing witness statements, body-camera footage and other investigative information.
Minnesota authorities had previously complained that federal agencies were not providing sufficient access to evidence.
The transfer allowed state investigators to conduct a more complete review.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said investigators could now assess the evidence and determine whether criminal charges might be appropriate.
That process does not mean charges have been filed.
It means Minnesota prosecutors now have additional evidence available for review.
What Is the Medical Examiner’s Finding?
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office classified Alex Pretti’s death as a homicide.
The finding was released on February 2, 2026.
The cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by law enforcement.
A homicide classification is a medical finding. It does not automatically mean that prosecutors have concluded a crime occurred.
The legal determination remains separate.
Investigators must consider whether the officers’ actions were legally justified under the circumstances.
That distinction is important as the case continues.
Why Officer Identities Remain Important to the Family
One of the family’s biggest unanswered questions concerns the identities of the officers who shot Alex.
The family says it still has not received sufficient information about who fired the fatal shots.
Micayla Pretti, Alex’s sister, said identifying the officers is an important part of accountability.
The family also wants explanations from federal authorities about how the investigation has been handled.
Their attorney has criticized the lengthy process and the lack of direct communication.
Federal officials have said family communication generally takes place at later stages of criminal proceedings, including an indictment, initial appearance, plea, trial or sentencing.
Because the investigation remains active, officials have not publicly provided all of the information the family wants.
Current Status of the Case
The case remains unresolved as of August 25, 2026.
Several developments have occurred since January, but investigators have not announced a final determination of criminal responsibility.
The current status can be summarized as follows:
- Alex Pretti died on January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis.
- He was 37 years old.
- He was a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse.
- Federal immigration officers were involved in the confrontation.
- Multiple videos captured portions of the incident.
- Pretti’s handgun was removed during the physical struggle.
- Approximately 10 shots were fired.
- The Hennepin County Medical Examiner classified the death as a homicide.
- The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation.
- The FBI became involved in the federal investigation.
- Minnesota investigators received additional federal evidence in July.
- No publicly announced criminal charges have been filed against the officers who fired the fatal shots.
These facts provide the clearest picture of the case’s current status without going beyond what investigators and verified reporting have established.
What the Family Wants Now
The Pretti family says it wants accountability.
They want the officers involved in the shooting identified.
They want investigators to examine all available video and physical evidence.
They also want government officials to reconsider statements that they believe unfairly portrayed Alex after his death.
For the family, the investigation has become a long and painful wait.
Susan Pretti has continued to describe Alex as her child rather than as the political figure portrayed in some government statements.
Her August 25 interview brought that personal perspective back into the national discussion.
The Investigation Could Still Produce New Findings
The transfer of federal evidence to Minnesota investigators could become important in the coming months.
Prosecutors now have additional material that can be compared with video recordings, witness statements and other evidence.
Federal investigators also continue their own review.
The two investigations could ultimately reach conclusions about whether the officers acted within the law.
At this point, however, no final public finding has established criminal wrongdoing by the officers.
That makes it important to separate confirmed facts from allegations and political statements.
The videos, investigative evidence and official findings will remain central to determining what happened.
Why the Alex Pretti Case Continues to Draw Attention
The case has remained significant because it involves questions about federal immigration enforcement, use of deadly force and accountability.
For Pretti’s family, however, the issue is deeply personal.
They lost a son and brother.
They say they watched his death unfold on television and have spent months waiting for answers.
The latest interview gave them an opportunity to speak directly about that experience.
It also renewed attention on an investigation that has yet to reach a public conclusion.
As Minnesota and federal investigators continue reviewing evidence, the central questions remain unanswered.
Who fired the fatal shots?
Was the use of deadly force legally justified?
Why did the confrontation escalate to gunfire?
And will prosecutors eventually bring charges?
Those questions cannot be answered responsibly until investigators complete their reviews.
What can be established is that the case remains active, additional evidence has reached Minnesota investigators, and Pretti’s family continues to demand accountability.
What Happens Next in the Pretti Shooting Investigation?
The next major development is likely to come from investigators or prosecutors.
Minnesota authorities can now examine the federal evidence transferred in July. Federal investigators continue their civil rights review.
Any decision to file charges would require prosecutors to evaluate the available evidence and applicable law.
Until such a decision occurs, claims about criminal responsibility remain unproven.
The Pretti family has made clear that it will continue seeking answers.
Their August 25 interview ensures that the family’s perspective remains part of the public conversation surrounding the case.
The investigation’s eventual findings will determine whether the questions raised by the family and the publicly available videos lead to further legal action.
What do you think should happen next in the Alex Pretti case? Share your thoughts and follow verified developments as the investigation continues.