By Alex Ciarfalia
On Jan. 24, 2026, Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot and killed by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Wisconsin native, who was attending an ICE protest in Minneapolis, was seen documenting law enforcement actions with his phone. Minutes later, he was pinned down, hit multiple times, had his personal gun removed, and fatally shot.
Pretti’s death has sparked major debate over whether or not it was justified, as well as the current administration’s policies on border control and furthering protests in cities like Minneapolis, Los Angeles and New York.
People on both sides of the political spectrum have argued passionately over Pretti’s death. Some individuals on the far right have brought up a previous encounter between Pretti and ICE, dredging up a video of Pretti kicking their car and spitting on the hood. After doing so, he was held down by 3-4 agents for about 10 seconds, but it could be argued that this actually proves that his death was unnecessary, as the officers were still able to subdue him without the use of lethal force.
Those leaning towards the left have organized many memorials and vigils in honor of Pretti, as people around the country have mourned him. His graphic death has caused the current political climate to become even more heated, with people on the far right and left becoming more and more separated from each other.
Protesters of ICE have started arising all over Wisconsin following the event.
