Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed a 37-year-old nurse killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement was shot after he ‘reacted violently.’
Speaking from Washington DC hours after Alex Jeffrey Pretti was killed in Minneapolis, Noem said: ‘An individual approached US Border Patrol Officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
‘The officers attempted to disarm this individual but the armed suspect reacted violently…this looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage and kill law enforcement.’
‘Our law enforcement are doing everything they can to protect the public. We’re praying for the deceased’s loved ones, family, and friends, but we also recognize that the Minnesota and the Minneapolis governor need to take a long hard look in the mirror.
‘They need to evaluate their rhetoric, their conversations, and their encouragement of such violence against our citizens and law enforcement officers.’
‘I don’t know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign.’
Noem’s comments echo those made earlier by ICE officials suggesting Pretti had approached cops brandishing a gun.
But one video filmed moments before Pretti before he was killed shows him holding a phone.
Another appears to show that another ICE officer had removed Pretti’s legally owned handgun from him moments before he was shot at least six times.
He was shot shortly after 9am Saturday near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in south Minneapolis.
Minneapolis police confirmed Pretti was a white, 37‑year‑old Minnesota resident and said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, federal agents were in the area attempting to apprehend a man described as ‘an illegal alien wanted for violent assault’ when Pretti approached them. DHS said a struggle followed.
The agency stated that Pretti was armed with a nine‑millimeter semi‑automatic handgun and carrying two magazines, and that officers attempted to disarm him before he allegedly resisted.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claims ICE shooting victim Alex Jeffrey Pretti ‘reacted violently’ before he was killed
A Minneapolis man who was gunned down during a struggle with federal agents has been identified by local media as Alex Jeffrey Pretti
Pretti is a registered nurse, US citizen and a resident of Minnesota who had a gun license according to officials
Federal authorities identified the man they were initially seeking as Jose Huerta‑Chuma, an Ecuadorian national. Border Patrol officials said Huerta‑Chuma has a criminal history that includes domestic assault, disorderly conduct and driving without a license.
Federal court records reviewed by local media did not immediately list cases under his name.
Video from the scene shows agents wrestling Pretti to the ground moments before the shooting.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said city police were not involved in the immigration operation and did not fire the weapon.
O’Hara added that Pretti had no serious criminal history beyond minor parking violations and confirmed that he was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit.
Pretti worked as a registered nurse for the Veterans Health Administration at the Minneapolis VA hospital, where he served as an intensive care nurse treating critically ill veterans.
Public records show he earned approximately $90,000 in 2023. Colleagues have described him as a dedicated healthcare worker whose death has had a significant impact within the VA medical community.
Saturday’s shooting marks the third recent incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis.
Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7 after ignoring orders to get out of her car and trying to drive away from the scene.