Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down in Tears: Heartfelt Tribute to 'Murdered' Protester Alex Pretti

Jimmy Kimmel has delivered a poignant tribute to Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis ICU nurse fatally shot by federal agents, choking back tears during his Monday night monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The late-night host dedicated much of his opening segment to the 37-year-old's death, highlighting the broader chaos in the city amid immigration enforcement operations.

Pretti, remembered as a dedicated caregiver to veterans, was killed on 24 January amid conflicting accounts of the incident. As of 27 January 2026, the event has sparked widespread outrage and calls for investigations.

The Fatal Encounter

Federal agents from US Border Patrol, assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, were conducting an operation to arrest a suspected undocumented migrant near a donut shop when protesters gathered. Alex Pretti, a local resident and registered nurse since 2021 at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was among those present. Born in Illinois and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he played high school football and baseball, Pretti was an avid mountain biker and former Boy Scout known for his kindness.

He had served on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic, mentoring new nurses and earning praise from patients for his empathy. Eyewitness videos show Pretti approaching the scene, possibly to help a woman or document events with a camera.

He was legally carrying a holstered handgun—permitted in Minnesota's open-carry laws—with no prior criminal record beyond traffic tickets. Agents tackled him, disarmed him, and then fired ten shots while he was on the ground.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims the shooting was in self-defence, alleging Pretti resisted and posed an armed threat. However, multiple videos contradict this, showing no aggressive moves from Pretti. Body-camera footage is under review, but has not been released. This marks the second such fatality in the city this month, following Renee Nicole Good's shooting on 7 January.

Kimmel's Heartfelt Monologue

On 26 January, Jimmy Kimmel opened his show with a sombre tone, forgoing jokes to address the 'atrocities' unfolding in Minneapolis. Breaking down twice, he described videos of 'screaming people being torn from their families' and criticised agents as 'poorly-trained, shamefully-led, mask-wearing goons' committing 'vile, heartless' acts. Kimmel, whose family has ties to the area, expressed fear for residents, particularly non-white communities, and questioned the administration's leadership.

He paid direct tribute to Pretti, playing a clip of the nurse honouring a deceased veteran patient. 'Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse who treated veterans, which is about as patriotic as it gets,' Kimmel said, fighting tears. He slammed White House advisor Stephen Miller for labelling Pretti a 'would-be assassin' and 'domestic terrorist', urging those on the right to demand better.

Kimmel called for investigations into such killings, asking: 'Can we agree that peaceful protesters... don't deserve to be shot dead in the street?' His plea echoed across social media, with actress Jennifer Aniston sharing Pretti's parents' statement on Instagram, describing him as a 'kindhearted soul'.

Broader Reactions and Tensions

Stephen Colbert also weighed in on The Late Show, accusing officials of denying visible evidence and praising Minnesotans' graceful response through community support. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard, blaming 'untrained' federal forces and demanding their withdrawal.

Protests have intensified, with demonstrators surrounding hotels believed to house agents. Even gun rights advocates have voiced dismay, noting Pretti's legal carry should not justify lethal force. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents, claiming Pretti aimed to 'inflict maximum damage'. Encrypted chats suggest protesters tracked ICE movements beforehand.