Doctor Alleges Federal Agents Counted Alex Pretti's Bullet Wounds Instead of Rendering Aid

The death of Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis has become a flashpoint in the national debate over federal use of force, after a sworn physician's testimony alleged agents counted his bullet wounds instead of providing medical aid. The 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse was fatally shot by United States Border Patrol agents during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in south Minneapolis on 24 January 2026.

Federal officials have asserted that Pretti posed a lethal threat, claiming he approached agents armed with a handgun. Witness accounts, courtroom filings, and video evidence, however, paint a markedly different picture.

Contradictory Accounts Emerge From Witness Testimony

In affidavits submitted to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, two witnesses directly challenged the official federal narrative. One witness, a woman filming the incident, testified she never saw Pretti brandish a weapon and that he appeared to be trying to assist another person who had been shoved by agents. Her statement asserts that the federal account, as released by DHS, was inaccurate.

The second witness, a 29-year-old physician who observed the encounter from a nearby building, provided a dramatically different account from that offered by the Trump administration. According to the affidavit, after hearing the shots, the physician went outside to render aid but was initially prevented from doing so by federal agents. When eventually granted access, they found Pretti on his side surrounded by agents, none of whom were administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation or checking for a pulse. Instead, the doctor said agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds, noting at least three in his back, one in his upper left chest, and another possible wound to his neck.

This sworn account, filed under penalty of perjury, directly disputes DHS claims that Pretti was an immediate threat. The physician's testimony has ignited vigorous debate about transparency and accountability in federal operations.

Video Evidence and Official Statements in Conflict

Multiple bystander videos, verified by reputable news organisations, show Pretti holding a mobile phone, not a weapon, in the moments before he was confronted by agents. The footage depicts the initial interaction, pepper spray being used against Pretti and others, and several agents wrestling him to the ground before gunfire rings out.

According to bystander video reviewed by The Guardian and other outlets, the footage does not show Pretti brandishing a firearm before being shot. Instead, it shows him recording the encounter and attempting to defuse a situation involving another person. Federal officials maintain that Pretti had a concealed handgun and two magazines of ammunition at the scene and have circulated photographs of the firearm, though no publicly available video evidence shows he ever used or brandished it.

Legal and Political Fallout Intensifies

In the wake of Pretti's death, legal action has accelerated. The ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota released statements condemning the killing and demanding action, calling the federal operation reckless and dangerous. Their lawsuit, filed in conjunction with other civil rights complaints, alleges unconstitutional conduct by DHS and seeks independent review and accountability.

A separate legal motion filed by Minnesota officials successfully obtained a court order preventing the Trump administration from 'destroying or altering' evidence related to the shooting. The temporary injunction underscored concerns over federal control of crucial evidence and the necessity of a thorough, impartial investigation. The incident has intensified debates over immigration enforcement and federal oversight, with Minneapolis officials and civil liberties advocates criticising the escalation of what they describe as militarised tactics under Operation Metro Surge.

Community Reaction and Continued Scrutiny

Pretti's death has sparked vigils and protests in Minneapolis and other cities. Relatives and friends have described him as a compassionate healthcare professional devoted to patients and community welfare. His role as an ICU nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Centre highlighted his commitment to service, with colleagues recalling his kindness and focus on helping others.

The fatal shooting is not an isolated event—it is the second such killing by federal agents in Minneapolis within weeks, following the death of Renee Good earlier in January 2026. These incidents have eroded public trust and prompted calls for reform of federal law enforcement engagement strategies. As litigation proceeds and protests continue, the conflicting accounts underscore wider tensions over federal authority, civil liberties, and the use of deadly force in domestic enforcement operations.