REPORT: Alex Pretti Was Known to Federal Agents Before Fatal Border Patrol Shooting

Federal agents were reportedly familiar with Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti prior to his fatal encounter with U.S. Border Patrol officers, according to a new report citing sources with knowledge of federal immigration enforcement operations.

CNN reported that Pretti’s name had been entered into federal systems before he was shot and killed during a Border Patrol operation in Minneapolis on January 24. A source told the outlet that Pretti was “known” to federal authorities, though it remains unclear how his information was shared internally or whether agents involved in the shooting recognized him at the time of the encounter.

According to the report, federal officials had recently circulated an intake form among agents operating in Minneapolis during the Department of Homeland Security’s “Metro Surge” immigration enforcement initiative. The form was designed to collect identifying information on individuals who interfered with or confronted federal agents during operations. However, it is not known whether that specific form was used to log Pretti’s information or how widely any collected data was distributed.

It is also unclear whether the Border Patrol agents who encountered Pretti on January 24 were aware of his prior interaction with federal authorities before confronting him. During that encounter, agents wrestled Pretti to the ground, removed a firearm from his waistband, and fatally shot him. Federal officials have stated that the shooting occurred during a rapidly evolving situation, though multiple investigations remain ongoing.

The CNN report follows earlier revelations about a violent encounter involving Pretti just days before his death. Sources said that approximately one week prior to the fatal shooting, Pretti was involved in a confrontation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that left him with a broken rib.

According to those accounts, Pretti stopped his vehicle after observing ICE officers pursuing what he believed to be a family on foot. He allegedly shouted and blew a whistle to draw attention to the situation. Sources said as many as five federal agents tackled him, with one agent leaning on his back during the struggle. Pretti was released at the scene without arrest.

Medical records reviewed by reporters indicated that Pretti later received treatment consistent with a broken rib. He reportedly described the encounter as traumatic and told sources he believed he might die during the incident.

Despite those claims, the Department of Homeland Security has stated that it has no official record of the earlier confrontation.

Multiple federal and local investigations remain active, and officials have said additional details will be released as reviews progress. For now, questions persist about what federal agents knew, when they knew it, and whether prior encounters played any role in the events that led to Pretti’s death.