The man shot and killed by federal officers during an operation in Minneapolis has been identified as Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse.
Pretti was killed during an encounter with federal law enforcement officers on Saturday morning, Jan. 24. His parents confirmed his identity later that day.
According to state licensing records, Pretti had been a registered nurse since January 2021 and previously worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
At a press conference following the shooting, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Pretti had minimal prior contact with law enforcement, limited to parking-related violations. O’Hara added that Pretti was a lawful gun owner and held a valid permit.
Federal officials said the shooting occurred around 9:00 a.m. while Department of Homeland Security officers were conducting a targeted operation related to a suspect wanted in connection with a violent assault. Authorities said Pretti approached officers while armed with a handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him.
According to the federal account, an officer fired defensive shots during the confrontation. Medical personnel responded immediately, but Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said Pretti was carrying two magazines and did not have identification on him at the time.
Minneapolis police confirmed that multiple law enforcement officers were involved in the incident. The department is reviewing video footage that appears to show several officers engaged in a physical struggle with one individual before shots were fired.
When asked about discrepancies between video footage circulating publicly and the federal description of events, Chief O’Hara said the footage should be allowed to speak for itself.
Following the shooting, a crowd of more than 200 people gathered near the scene, leading to tense confrontations between protesters and federal officers. Authorities worked to disperse the crowd while securing the area.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.