Inside Minneapolis on 60 Minutes: What Happened to Alex Pretti?

On 60 Minutes February 1, 2026, 60 Minutes opened its Sunday hour with Scott Pelley’s report on the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse in Minneapolis, by federal immigration agents. The story has become one of the most contentious national news events of early 2026, sparking protests, political upheaval, and fresh calls for accountability in the federal government’s immigration enforcement strategy.

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Who Was Alex Pretti?

Alex Jeffrey Pretti was a 37‑year‑old American citizen and an intensive care nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis. Known among friends and colleagues as compassionate and dedicated to his work, he had no notable criminal history. Pretti was also a legally licensed concealed‑carry handgun owner.

The Circumstances of the Shooting

The incident occurred on January 24, 2026, during Operation Metro Surge, a large‑scale federal immigration enforcement effort in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota. The operation, spearheaded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), was part of the second Trump administration’s intensified domestic immigration actions.

According to multiple verified videos and eyewitness accounts, Pretti had been filming federal officers with his cellphone amid a crowd of protesters when he moved toward a woman who had been pushed to the ground near Nicollet Avenue. Pretti put his arm around her and appeared to be helping her up when federal agents pepper‑sprayed him and wrestled him to the ground. Moments later, two agents fired at Pretti at close range. He was struck multiple times and killed.

Federal officials initially claimed that Pretti posed a threat and approached agents with a firearm. However, video analysis from reputable news outlets shows him holding only a phone before his death, and no footage confirms that he brandished a gun at the time shots were fired. The conflicting narrative has become central to the controversy surrounding the case.

Why the Story Matters

Pretti’s death did not happen in isolation. It followed another fatal shooting earlier in January during Operation Metro Surge, when ICE agents killed Renée Good, a 37‑year‑old mother of three who had also been involved in an encounter with federal agents. The two incidents together intensified complaints about the tactics used by immigration authorities and opened deep fissures in public trust.

In the aftermath of Pretti’s killing, thousands of people took to the streets in Minneapolis and in cities across the United States to protest federal immigration enforcement practices. Demonstrations have drawn attention to broader questions about the rule of law, use of force by federal agents, and the rights of citizens during law enforcement operations.

Political Consequences and Investigations

The shooting has ignited political backlash at every level of government. Lawmakers from both parties have called for independent investigations, questioning the Department of Homeland Security’s handling of the case and the transparency of its communications. The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into Pretti’s death, with the FBI assisting in the review.

Minnesota’s governor and attorney general have also sought answers, emphasizing that local authorities have faced obstacles in accessing the shooting site due to federal control. These developments have intensified scrutiny over how federal and local jurisdictions interact during such enforcement operations.

A Community and Country in Mourning

In Minneapolis, the site of Pretti’s death has become a memorial space, with residents leaving flowers, handwarmers, and personal items in tribute. Across the U.S., solidarity events have taken place, including memorial bike rides and marches that highlight the profound human impact of what many see as an avoidable tragedy.

As 60 Minutes and national news outlets continue to unpack this story, the killing of Alex Pretti stands as a defining moment in the evolving debate over immigration law enforcement and civil liberties in America.